2008 Mar 19 No more liquids on domestic flights out of Beijing
In places like the UK, the US or Australia, even on domestic flights, it's not uncommon to spend more time checking in, passing through security, and waiting than you spend on the actual flight. So the idea of flying domestic in China tends to be a welcome change for most foreigners. Passengers can show up for a domestic flight in China 30 minutes before departure and still be confident that they will make the flight – admittedly this is often due to the fact that most planes take off well after official departure times. Indeed, taking a flight in China has often been compared to catching the bus: "if you miss this one, just take the next." All that, however, is about to change …
Although in place for years, China had decided to strengthen its policy of prohibiting the carrying of liquids on flights. The original policy, which prohibited the carrying of liquids on international flights, was strengthened in December of 2006 as the result of a thwarted plot to sneak explosive liquids onto a flight from Britain to the United States. However, as of March 14, the General Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC) has now prohibited liquids from being taken on domestic as well as international flights.
It's reported that the new regulations have been introduced as a response to an incident in which gasoline was found to have been taken aboard a flight from Urumuqi to Beijing. You can read more about the incident over at ESWN or the NYTimes.
A by-product of this policy has been longer waits at airport security gates, with reports of many people missing their flights due to delays in clearing security. In response, airport authorities have set up a special security inspection channel for passengers who are running late but they've also used the new regulations as an opportunity to do away with the "easy boarding" service, which used to allow passengers to pay for the privilege of a speedy check-in at the cost of slack security.
So if you're planning on taking a domestic flight in the next few days, it might be a good idea to get to the airport a little earlier than usual and to slip that bottle of erguotou into your check-in luggage.
Links and Sources:
Shanghai Daily: Liquid ban passengers get extra opportunity
CRI: Airport Adopts New Security Rule on Liquid (image)
CRI: Liquid Ban Passengers Get Extra Opportunity
Danwei: Liquids on Chinese airlines
Emabssy of People's Republic of China in Australia: Airport adopts new security rule on liquid
The General Administration of Civil Aviation (CAAC)
ESWN: In Search of Eyewitnesses for CZ6901 Incident
New York Times: China Reports Suspected Terrorist Activity
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