Saturday, November 18, 2006
Canary Islands looking for solutions to the EU liquids on planes security restrictions
Funnily enough, I saw this one coming a mile off and, was discussing this with my friend down at our local supermarket recently. It occurred to me that the restrictions would inevitably impact on sales of cheap booze and other products on the islands and I didn't think the authorities would sit back and take it. It seems I was right.
Given that, in supermarkets, you can buy a really nice wine for a couple of quid, local liqueurs for around four or five quid, or a bottle of branded whiskey for under a tenner, most tourists will take their allowance. Times that by over 10 million tourists a year and, it is easy to see that this is a huge and lucrative business for the islands.
Stopping tourists from transporting these goods must represent a great loss.
Diario de Avisos report that members of the council of Agriculture, Fishing and Food, representatives for regional Tourism, for Transport and other departments, along with representatives of regional airline, Binter Canarias, called a meeting to discuss and search for solutions to the restrictions on the transport of liquids on planes.
The government has declared that the meeting was part of a round of talks aimed at facilitating the possibility that local produce, including; wines, sauces, spreads and others of similar characteristics, such as honey, can be transported on planes to make the recent European Union security restrictions, imposed on the transport of liquids in hand luggage, compatible with commercial activities.
According to those present, the meeting was called after a recent drop in sales.
Binter say that they are willing to accept goods as hold luggage with a "fragile" or similar label and to make special consideration for these packages en route, from check in to when they are returned to the passenger.
Meanwhile, travellers are reminded that they can acquire these articles in the airport shops, once they are beyond the security check points, except in La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, which do not have this service available.
(The only problem with that, is that the prices in the airports are considerably higher than the prices in shops and supermarkets elsewhere on the islands.)
Another article on the same subject, reported by ABC, also says that the Canary Island government is searching for solutions to allow visitors to transport Canary Islands products, such as wine, honey or sauces, in their hand luggage, so that the European Union rules do not have a great impact on the sales of these products.
One idea they mention is the implantation of mechanism in commercial establishments in airports that are outside of the secure zone, so that clients can pick up their purchases - by producing receipts - inside the secure area.
Another solution that has been put forward is to instal shops in the embarkation areas, although this option presents problems in some airports, such as El Hierro and La Palma, where space is limited. They are also discussing the idea of secure packaging to prevent breakages, so that items can be checked in as hold luggage.
Currently, the European Union is elaborating regulations, expected to be approved in early 2007, that would unify security rules within the member states, which is already subject of a pact and which would allow for the possibility of exemptions. In this case, Spain, could ask the EU to evaluate risks. The Canaries intend to carry out a study over the coming months to evaluate the economic impact.
El Ejecutivo autonómico busca salidas a la restricción sobre líquidos en los aviones
El Gobierno quiere que los pasajeros puedan viajar con productos canarios
