More Retail Liquids and Gel Product Sales to Resume at Canadian Airports

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 -

More Retail Liquid and Gel Product Sales
to Resume at Canadian Airports

OTTAWA (Sept. 19, 2006) The Canadian Airports Council today announced that weeks of work between industry stakeholders and the federal government has resulted in a Transport Canada decision to allow the resumption of full liquid and gel product sales to non-U.S. travellers from retail shops in the secure areas of Canadian airports starting Friday at 3 a.m. (EDT). 

“The industry has worked diligently to find a solution amenable to the federal government that allows for a resumption in the sale of banned products while maintaining the integrity of the new security system in place,” said
CAC President and CEO Jim Facette.  “Resumption in the sale of these products means renewed convenience for Canadian air travellers, but also the return of important revenue dollars for Canada’s airports and airport retailers.”

Passengers are still prohibited from carrying liquids and gels through pre-board screening.  In accordance with U.S. security regulations, travellers to the U.S. also still will be prohibited from carrying non-duty free liquids and gels on board the aircraft. 

In addition, passengers departing Canada’s seven U.S. pre-clearance airports (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg) will still be prohibited from purchasing liquid and gel products in the secure areas of the airports.  For these seven airports, duty free liquids and gels destined for the U.S. still must be inserted into checked bags, while at other airports they can be carried on board the aircraft by the passenger.

Since increased security measures were imposed in Canada just a few weeks ago, the nation’s airport retail shops have suffered millions in dollars in losses from the ban of their products and many stores have closed, resulting in job losses throughout the country.  The CAC continues to work with industry partners in Canada and the U.S. to mitigate the economic impact from the continued security concerns about gels and liquids.

“Canada’s airports appreciate the work of the federal government, which has worked tirelessly with airports and other industry stakeholders to find a solution to the challenges posed by the ban on the sale of liquids and gels from Canadian airports,” said Mr. Facette.  “Today’s announcement is a testament to what can be accomplished when industry and government works together.”

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) is the voice for Canada’s airports. Its
45 members encompass 180 airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most significant municipal airports in every province and territory. Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation’s air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic. They create well in excess of $30 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve. And more than 150,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.