Australia joins airport cosmetics ban

The move is in line with those introduced by US and European air authorities following the discovery of a plot to detonate liquid bombs on transatlantic flights between the US and the UK in August last year. Although seen as an imperative measure to insure passenger security, the ban on over-sized cosmetics has had distinct repercussions for many top-end cosmetic retailers, impacting purchases of items such as color cosmetics and fragrances, which have traditionally proved to be popular with flyers. Now Australian airport authorities have joined European and US counterparts, in a move that many in the industry believe will only add to the problems brought about by the restrictions on flights to and from the US and the UK. The Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services said that the new regulations were being introduced as a direct response to the regulations enforced following the transatlantic bomb plot and 'the enduring threat to civil aviation'. As in Europe and the US, the ban means that any aerosols, gels or liquids taken on board aircrafts must be contained in bottles or tubes of less than 100ml and carried in a clear zip-lock plastic bags with a diameter of 20cm x 20cm, which is limited to one per passenger. As well as obvious liquid cosmetics such as shampoo and shower gel, the ban also means that cosmetics such as lipsticks, toothpaste and other liquid/sold mixed products must also be contained in the plastic bags. The Australian authorities have said that purchases of cosmetic and fragrance products over 100ml may be made if they are taken to the boarding gate in a clear plastic bag, with a receipt as proof of purchase. However, many passengers have not made such purchases for fear of the products being confiscated or simply because they are not aware of the rule. As a result many leading premium cosmetics company believe that in the longer term the security measures could have an impact on their results, as such players derive a significant proportion of their sales from airport retail outlets. Indeed, when the security measures were first introduced in the UK and US last year, Estee Lauder, which is estimated to derive approximately 7 per cent of annual $6bn sales from airport lounges, said that the measures could have an impact.