Costa Rica airport restricts liquids in carry-ons

Starting April 19, the Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) will enforce the same airport restrictions on liquids, aerosols or gels in carry-on luggage as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. The new rules will apply to all passengers departing or in transit through Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).

Passengers are restricted to 3.4 ounce or 100 milliliter containers of liquid products in their carry-ons, and the items must be placed inside a transparent, closeable plastic bag.

Civil Aviation Authority director general Ennio Cubillo warned that SJO’s airport security officers will confiscate all products that fail to comply with the new restrictions.

Airlines representatives agreed to inform their customers about new airport restrictions starting this week.

AERIS officials pledged to display information at strategic points in the terminal and broadcast periodic audio announcements to remind travelers of the restrictions.

The measures were initially implemented at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste and have now been extended to Juan Santamaría airport, the country’s largest terminal.

Cubillo said the new airport restrictions are being adopted to comply with security measures that are part of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Convention.

The group introduced restrictions in 2006 on carrying liquids, aerosols and gels following an attempted terrorist attack using homemade explosives at London-Heathrow Airport.

The list of restricted liquids, aerosols and gels includes the following:

• Water and other drinks, soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes.
• Foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content.
• Creams, lotions, cosmetics and oils; perfumes, sprays, gels, including hair and shower gels.
• Mascara, lip gloss or lip balm, and any other item of similar consistency at room temperature.
• Contents of pressurized containers, including shaving foam, other foam and deodorants.
• Pastes, including toothpaste, liquid-solid mixtures.