Government of Canada announces change to benefit air travellers with connecting flights in Europe
OTTAWA — Canada's Transport Minister John Baird today announced a new change that will benefit passengers flying outbound from Canada whose connecting flights are through European Union (EU) airports. Effective today, passengers can carry duty-free purchases of liquids, aerosols and gels over 100 millilitres with them through an EU airport en route to a final destination.
The change requires that Canadian airport retailers now put duty-free purchases of liquids, aerosols and gels into secure special bags. These bags will be recognized as secure in the EU.
"Passengers will now have assurance that what they buy at Canadian duty-free stores can continue on through any connection point in the European Union," said Baird. "Also, starting this spring there will be two airports in Canada equipped to offer the same service for passengers flying in from the EU."
Two Canadian airports will be ready this spring to screen duty-free liquids, aerosols and gels over 100 millilitres that passengers bring from EU airports, en route to domestic airports. At the end of April 2010, passengers from Europe will be able to transfer through Toronto Pearson International Airport, and in May 2010, passengers from Europe will be able to transfer through Montreal's Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport with these items.
Transport Canada advises travellers to respect the number of carry-on items allowed by airlines and to check the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's website at www.catsa.gc.ca before flying for further information about security screening.
A backgrounder with further information is attached.
