Owais Crawford
Water is banned in most airports because of the possibility of liquid explosives. In 2006, a terrorist was captured on surveillance cameras drilling a hole into an unopened water bottle and filling it with explosive liquids. This led to the 3-1-1 rule, which allows travellers to carry 3.4 ounces of liquid per container in a 1-quart bag. However, this rule has been criticised for being inconvenient and time-consuming for travellers, and some airports are now implementing new technology, such as CT scanning security systems, which can detect liquid explosives and may eventually allow the ban on water to be lifted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Liquids in certain quantities can be used as explosives |
| Date of implementation | 2006 |
| Exceptions | Water can be brought if it is frozen |
| Allowed quantity | 3.4 ounces or 100ml |
| Alternative | Empty bottles can be brought and filled up later |
| Technology | Some airports have new scanners that can identify safe liquids |
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What You'll Learn
Explosives can be made from liquids
Liquids are banned in airports because they pose a security threat. Indeed, some liquids can be used to make explosives. For instance, hydrogen peroxide, which resembles water, can be used as rocket fuel. Likewise, gasoline is explosive and looks similar to apple juice. Other chemicals can start fires upon contact with air.
In 2006, surveillance cameras captured a terrorist filling an unopened water bottle with explosive liquids. This incident led to the ban on liquids entering airports. Before this, in 2001, Al Qaeda terrorists attacked the United States using airplanes. Intelligence agencies uncovered information during Operation Overt that Al Qaeda and its affiliates continue to target aviation.
Liquid explosives are often undetectable by X-ray and can be disguised as regular liquids. They can be created by mixing certain chemicals, such as oxidizers and fuels, or through more complex chemical reactions. Triacetone triperoxide (TATP), urea nitrate, and ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN) are examples of explosives made through chemical reactions.
To address the threat of liquid explosives, airports implemented a liquids ban, allowing only small containers (up to 3.4 ounces or 100ml) of liquids in a clear bag. This volume is considered too small to cause significant damage in the event of an explosion. Additionally, frozen liquids are permitted as liquid explosives cannot be frozen. Some airports have also adopted bottle scanners that can identify unsafe liquids.
While the liquids ban inconveniences travellers and increases airport drink revenues, it is deemed necessary to prevent potential aviation disasters.
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Security X-rays can't distinguish harmless liquids from explosive ones
Security X-ray technology looks at density changes to identify items, but since liquids don't have a lot of density changes, it's difficult to distinguish harmless liquids from explosive ones. For example, hydrogen peroxide looks just like water but can be used to make rocket fuel. Similarly, nitroglycerine, which is explosive, is also indistinguishable from water via X-ray.
Innovations have been developed to address this issue. For instance, a mathematical model for the inspection of liquids was proposed by Osipov et al. in 2020. Another example is MagRay, a system that combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-rays to quickly analyze whether a bottle's contents are safe or dangerous. MagRay has the potential to be incorporated into existing X-ray tunnels at airports, allowing for the screening of liquids alongside carry-on luggage.
Other technologies are also being explored to enhance liquid screening capabilities. A 3D X-ray scanner, developed by Xoran Technologies, LLC, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), can be used to detect hidden explosive devices in backpack-sized containers. This portable and durable tool provides a detailed rendering of the contents inside a container, helping identify potential threats.
While these advancements show promise, the majority of airports still rely on the existing liquid restrictions due to the lack of widespread implementation of new technologies. As a result, travelers are advised to follow the "3-1-1" rule, allowing 3.4 ounces of liquid per container within a 1-quart bag. Some airports, like those in Japan, have adopted bottle solution detectors, while others allow frozen liquids, as liquid explosives cannot be frozen.
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Bans increase airport revenue from drink sales
The ban on liquids in airports has been a source of frustration for travellers, especially when it comes to water bottles. Implemented in 2006, the "3-1-1" rule restricts passengers to carrying only 3.4 ounces (about 100ml) of liquid per container, in a one-quart bag, with one bag per passenger. This rule was a direct response to the threat of liquid explosives, as uncovered during Operation Overt, a counter-terrorism operation.
While safety is the primary concern, the ban has had the side effect of increasing airport revenue from drink sales. With passengers unable to bring their own drinks, they are forced to purchase beverages from airport vendors, often at inflated prices. This has not gone unnoticed, and some travellers have criticised the rule as a money-making scheme.
Indeed, the ban has proven lucrative for airports. By preventing passengers from bringing their own water, airports can effectively monopolise the beverage market within the airport, driving up demand and allowing them to charge higher prices. This dynamic is particularly evident at smaller airports, which may struggle to generate revenue from other sources, especially after the financial toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While some airports have begun to relax the ban with the advent of advanced scanning technology, many airports have been slow to adopt these innovations due to the cost involved. As such, the ban on liquids is likely to persist in most airports, continuing to provide a boost to drink sales and overall revenue.
In conclusion, while the primary motivation for the liquids ban is safety, it cannot be ignored that the restriction has significantly increased airport revenue from drink sales. This dynamic has created a challenging situation, balancing the need for security with the desire for convenience and affordability.
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Bans are due to international rules and vary by country
The ban is ongoing because intelligence continues to indicate that terrorist groups continue to target aviation. While the ban has been criticised for its inconvenience to travellers, security agencies believe they have a very good reason for instituting it. Furthermore, some have argued that the ban has increased revenue for airports as travellers are forced to purchase drinks inside the airport.
The ban on liquids varies by country and airport. In most airports, containers with no more than 100ml or 3.4 ounces of liquids are allowed through security. This is because liquid explosives would not be able to cause an explosion in such a small volume. However, some airports in the US are testing new scanners that can detect liquid explosives, which may soon allow the ban to be lifted.
There are some workarounds to the ban on water. TSA allows frozen liquids as long as they are completely solid. Alternatively, travellers can bring an empty bottle through security and fill it up once they have passed the screening.
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New technology may soon allow the ban to be scrapped
Water is banned in airports because of the possibility of liquid explosives being disguised as water and carried on board. This has been a concern since the 9/11 attacks, and there have been several terrorist plots involving liquid explosives since then. The current workaround for passengers is to bring empty bottles through security and fill them up later, or to bring frozen water through, as liquid explosives cannot be frozen.
However, new technology may soon allow the ban to be scrapped. Airports in London Heathrow, New York JFK, Amsterdam Schiphol, London Southend, Shannon, Donegal, and others have already begun trialling and implementing CT scanning technology. This technology replaces 2D X-ray scanning with 3D imaging, providing much more precise information about the contents of passengers' luggage. With this technology in place, liquids and electronics can remain in bags, and there are no restrictions on liquid volume.
While the technology is already in place at some airports, it will take time for it to be rolled out on a larger scale. There are staff shortages at airports and airlines around the world, and changes to regulations will not come quickly or universally. However, as more countries are able to complete nationwide rollouts, we will likely see more airports and regions start to relax the ban.
In addition to improving security, this technology may also help to reduce the inconvenience and environmental impact of the current ban. It is a hassle for passengers to dispose of their water bottles and purchase new ones inside the airport, and thousands of unopened water bottles are wasted daily. Airports are also increasingly adopting water-saving measures and technologies to reduce their environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
Water is banned in airports because there are explosive chemical liquids, such as nitroglycerine, that are indistinguishable from water. These clear liquids can act like regular explosives and pose a threat to airliners if brought on board.
The "100ml" rule states that containers with no more than 100ml or 3.4 ounces of liquids are allowed through security. This rule was first implemented in Europe after an incident at a UK airport, where a group of criminals was found with liquid bombs.
The liquid ban is still in place because not all airports have the technology to distinguish between highly hazardous substances and household liquids. Airports that have implemented new scanning technology have started to drop the ban.
