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More than 2,100 dangerous goods and restricted articles are intercepted from air passengers every day at the Hong Kong International Airport. These items pose a threat to aviation safety and security and have to be removed, Mr George Chao, Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation (Airport Standards) said today (May 10).
With the support of the aviation and travel industries, the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is now launching a Dangerous Goods and Restricted Articles Awareness Programme to enhance public awareness on the prohibition of the carriage of such items on board aircraft. Under this programme, publicity leaflets are distributed to travellers and members of the public, more information on the subject is posted on the CAD web site, and an educational video is shown at tea gatherings of travel groups and other selected venues. Three booths are also set up at the Departure Level of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to show the educational video and to display the dangerous goods and restricted articles samples.
"It is an offence to take forbidden dangerous goods on board an aircraft. The law restricts the type and quantity of dangerous goods allowed to be carried by passengers, because they can be a danger in flight due to temperature and pressure difference. In fact, many dangerous goods can be shipped as cargo if properly prepared," Mr Chao explained.
The dangerous goods commonly found inside baggage at HKIA include lighters, perfume or toiletry items, aerosols or gas cylinders for medical or sporting uses, signal flares, gas torches and household items such as adhesives, polishes, bleach and drain cleaner. Most of these items have to be removed because they can pose a significant risk to health, safety or property when transported by air. A few may be taken onboard with restrictions applied.
As far as restricted articles are concerned, passengers are not allowed to carry knife, knife-like object and bladed item in the aircraft cabin and within the enhanced security restricted area of HKIA with effect from September 28, 2001 for enhancement of security. The restriction has been recently revised to allow the carriage of nail clippers (excluding nail file) less than 6 cm long, round-ended nail files, and round-ended scissors with blade less than 5 cm long.
"Since some air passengers are still unaware of the restriction and carry with them bladed item and pointed nail files in their hand-carry bags, it is of importance that the relevant message is promulgated by showing video and displaying samples, etc at HKIA. Passengers can put those items in their check-in baggage if they need to carry them.
"This can help to minimise delay and inconvenience for passengers caused in connection with the interception of dangerous goods and restricted articles," Mr Chao said, reiterating the need for air passengers to observe the requirements.
End/Friday, May 10, 2002
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