Air passengers in HK urged to respect ban on dangerous goods

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 18, 2004

Air passengers in HK urged to respect ban on dangerous goods

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With the number of passengers using Hong Kong International Airport expected to soar as the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays approach, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong reminds travelers of the restrictions against taking dangerous goods and restricted articles on board aircraft.

The department Saturday said 17 airlines had lodged 916 slot applications to operate extra flights from Jan. 17 until Feb. 2. The most popular destinations are Taipei, Bangkok, Phuket and Shanghai.

A record high of 725 flight movements is anticipated on Jan. 22,Lunar New Year's Day. That compares with a daily average of 610 aircraft movements.

"In view of the large number of air travelers during the period, it is important to remind them of the restrictions of the carriage of dangerous goods and restricted articles on board aircraft, because these items pose a threat to aviation safety and security," said Simon Li, Chief Safety Officer of the Civil Aviation Department.

In 2003, there was an average of about 2,000 instances per day of passengers trying to take dangerous items and restricted articles on board planes at Hong Kong International Airport.

Li said that the most commonly found dangerous goods inside baggage were cigarette lighters, perfume or toiletry items, aerosols or compressed gases, fireworks, gas torches, and household items such as adhesives, polishes, bleach and drain cleaner.

These items could be a danger when transported by air due to sudden fluctuations in temperature and pressure and vibrations. The law, therefore, restricts the type and quantity of dangerous goods that passengers may take on board an aircraft.

"It is an offense to take forbidden dangerous goods on board as they pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment and have to be removed," he said.

Knives, knife-like objects and bladed or pointed items are not allowed in the aircraft cabin or within the enhanced security restricted area of the airport. Passengers can put such items in their check-in baggage if needed. Nail clippers (excluding nail files) less than 6 cm long, round-ended nail files, and round-ended scissors with blades less than 5 cm long are permitted, however.

Li emphasized that if passengers observed the above restrictions on the carriage of dangerous goods and restricted articles, delay and inconvenience could be greatly minimized during check-in.

As a result of an ongoing passenger education program conducted by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the number of restricted articles and dangerous goods carried by passengers has steadily declined in the past year.

Source: Xinhua

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