Illustrations of LAGs
(Liquids, Aerosols, & Gels)

New Regulations for People Travelling to Australia and the United States of America Background
On 9 August 2006, the United Kingdom (UK) security services interrupted a terrorist operation involving planned attacks against international aviation targets.

Intelligence indicated the group were planning to board an aircraft with concealed materials that could be used to construct an improvised explosive device (IED).

Analysis of the foiled London plot revealed vulnerability in the technical capability of aviation security screening points with respect to liquid explosive detection.

On 1 December 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) released recommended security control guidelines for screening liquids, gels and aerosols. These guidelines recommend that member countries, of which Australia is one, implement new security screening methods from 1 March 2007.

The Australian Government decided to implement these measures from 31 March 2007. The Australian Government Liquids Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) measures have been introduced as an interim measure until such time as a technology-based solution can be deployed.

In accordance with the National Aviation Security Programme and in view of direct flights from Fua’amotu to Sydney, the Tonga Ministry of Civil Aviation advises that special measures will be applied to all flights from Tonga to Australia, effective from 12am, March 31, 2007.

While there are no direct flights from Tonga to the US, passengers will face the same security measurements in Samoa before flying onto America. TAL therefore recommends that passengers pack in accordance to the same regulations to avoid loss of possessions.

Summary of Measures
The core feature of the LAGs measures is a restriction on the maximum container size that can be carried through an international screening point.

The maximum container size is 100mls (broadly equivalent to 100 grams). Each 100ml container must fit comfortably within a one (1) litre transparent, re-sealable plastic bag. As a guide, a one-litre bag will be no larger than approximately 20cm x 20cm, and will appear similar to a standard sized zip-lock freezer or sandwich bag.

All containers carried within the bag are to be no larger than 100mls in volume – any container larger than 100mls is not permitted even if partially full.

There is a limit of one bag per passenger. This bag is to be presented to the screener for visual inspection and x-ray screening.

People passing through the screening point will also be subject to random frisk searches. Passengers will also be required to remove any bulky coats or jackets and present them for x-ray screening.

The new measures were developed based on advice shared with Australia from explosives experts in the US who concluded the amount of liquid that could be contained in the sealed plastic bag in separate containers could not physically exceed 500mls in volume, and thus would not be sufficient to create an explosive charge sufficient to bring down an aircraft.

What Are LAGs?
Liquids, aerosols and gels include:
- water and other drinks, soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes; - foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content; - creams, lotions and oils; - perfumes; - sprays; - gels including hair and shower gels; - contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foam and deodorants; - pastes including toothpaste; - liquid-solid mixtures; - mascara; - lipsticks; - lip gloss or lip balm; - soaps (solid bars) and soap (liquid pump containers); and - any item of similar consistency.

This is not an exhaustive list. If passengers are unsure whether they can take an item, they should pack it into their checked baggage.

Exceptions
Exceptions apply to the following LAGs:

Medicine
Medicine or medical devices that are required for the duration of the flight are exempt from LAGs restrictions. Passengers are recommended (but not required) to bring along supporting documentation (ID cards, letters from doctors etc) regarding their medication needs. It is also recommended that the label on the prescription medications match the passengers boarding pass.

Medicines may include the following:
- essential prescribed medicines, including angina spray;
- essential non-prescribed medicines;
- children’s medicines;
- insulin, hypodermic needles, epipen;
- contact lens solution, where solutions minimum quantity exceeds 100ml; and
- inhaler (with spare canisters to be packed in checked baggage).

Disability and medically related items permitted beyond the screening point include:
- wheelchairs;
- scooters;
- crutches;
- canes;
- walkers;
- prosthetic devices;
- casts;
- support braces;
- support appliances;
- service animals;
- baby apnoea monitors;
- orthopaedic shoes;
- exterior medical devices;
- assistive/adaptive equipment;
- augmentation devices;
- ostomy supplies;
- CPAP machines/respirators;
- hearing aids;
- cochlear implants;
- personal supplemental oxygen;
- Braille note takers;
- diabetes related medical equipment and supplies; and
- other disability related equipment and associated supplies.

Baby Products
Baby products required for the flight are exempt from LAGs restrictions. Where the volume of baby food is deemed excessive, it is will not be allowed through the screening point.

Baby products include:
- baby milk;
- sterilised water;
- baby juice;
- baby food in liquid, gel or paste form;
- powdered baby food;
- pushchairs/prams/buggies
  (with the item x-rayed separately)
- car seats (for use on the plane); and
- wet wipes.

Duty Free Shopping
Passengers are able to purchase LAGs, including duty free, within the sterile area of an airport, and take these LAGs onto the aircraft.

Where a passenger purchases LAGs inside a sterile area, departs that sterile area, and attempts to re-enter, the LAGs will not be permitted through the screening point, regardless of the fact they were purchased beyond the screening point.

Travellers transiting in Australia will not be permitted carry duty free liquids unless it is purchased in the secure area of an Australian international airport.