Long lines had stretched beyond the immigration control area at Taoyuan International Airport after people were told to arrive three hours early for their flight due to new security measures restricting liquids.

Effective Thursday, international and domestic air passengers boarding aircraft from airports in Taiwan are required to hold their carry on liquids in 100 c.c. containers that must be placed in a clear plastic bag no larger than 24 x 17 cm.

The bag must be presented at the security inspection and put through the X-ray machine for screening. Liquid containers that cannot fit in the resealable plastic bag will be discarded at the security inspection, the CAA announced.

Passengers are urged to carry liquid containers too large for the plastic bag in their check-luggage, the CAA said.

Yesterday, the Bureau of Immigration called in more immigration control agents to Taoyuan International Airport during peak travel times in the morning.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration said that the long lines that forced some people to wait over an hour and a half to clear immigration on Thursday was due to not enough immigration control counters being opened. CAA said that it will wait until next Monday to decide whether to stop advising travelers from arriving at the airport three hours before their flight.

Meanwhile, the CAA cleared up some confusion by announcing that empty liquid containers do not have to be discarded by passengers at security inspection.

Unknowing airport security personnel had for the entire Thursday morning been forcing travelers to throw away their empty liquid containers.

The CAA said that the restriction of liquids applies to gel and aerosol substances as well including items such as lotion, toothpaste, and hair gel.

Liquid medicine is exempt provided the passenger presents a prescription or proof of medical treatment when passing through security.

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email