TSA eases ban on liquids

THE Transportation Security Administration last week relaxed the ban on liquids in carry-on luggage that it had imposed in August after British authorities said they had arrested 24 men who allegedly plotted to blow up airliners using liquid explosives.

Under the new rules, fliers may carry travel-size toiletries, each up to 3 ounces, through security checkpoints. All the toiletries must fit comfortably into a single quart-size, clear-plastic, zip-top bag.

Exceptions include prescription liquid medicines, baby formula and glucose treatments for diabetics, which may be carried on in larger quantities.

Nonprescription medicines such as eye-care products “will be evaluated case-by-case,” the TSA website said.

Most other liquids, aerosols and gels continue to be banned.

In another change, passengers can take beverages and other items into the cabin that they bought after passing through security. For details, visit www.tsa.gov.

On Sept. 22, the British Airport Authority, which stringently restricted bags in passenger cabins after details of the alleged plot emerged on Aug. 10, increased the size of permitted carry-ons. The new rules allow each passenger one carry-on bag up to 9.85 by 17.5 by 22 inches.

-- Jane Engle

Bangkok gets

a new airport

Anew airport serving Bangkok, Thailand, was to have opened Thursday for full commercial service. A bloodless military coup Sept. 19 that ousted Thailand’s prime minster was not expected to delay the opening.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, about 15 miles east of the Thai capital, began phasing in service Sept. 15. It replaces Don Muang Airport. The new airport has one of the world’s largest terminals, with more than 6 million square feet. It will initially be able to handle up to 45 million passengers a year.

Construction, wire services reported, was delayed by corruption scandals and other problems.

-- Jane Engle

‘Base’ fare rule upheld

THE U.S. Department of Transportation will not change its policy on airline price advertising, which means ads will show a base fare that includes fuel surcharges, it said last month. But it will allow airlines to list taxes and government fees separately.

The airline industry wanted to list its fuel surcharges separately from the base fare advertising.

But the DOT “has sent a message to the travel industry as a whole that transparency in pricing is a priority and that attempts to bury taxes and fees will not be tolerated,” Cheryl Hudak, president and chief executive of the American Society of Travel Agents, said in a prepared statement

-- James Gilden