Passengers face €1 charge for plastic bags at Dublin airport

EU regulations require travellers to carry liquids and toiletries under 100mls in a clear bag

BAGGAGE CHARGES for airline passengers will reach a whole new level from today with the introduction of charges for resealable plastic bags in which to carry liquids, gels and other toiletries under 100mls.

Dublin Airport Authority is to begin charging customers €1 for two clear plastic bags to hold their liquids while passing through passenger security.

The bags, which are regulation size, can be purchased at locations throughout the departures floor at Dublin airport.

Under EU regulations all containers of 100mls or less – about a third of the size of a standard soft drink can – of liquids, gels, pastes, lotions, cosmetics and contact lens solution must be carried in a transparent, resealable plastic bag through passenger screening areas.

Only one such bag is allowed per passenger, and its volume may be not greater than one litre and it must measure less than 20cm by 20cm.

The only exceptions to these rules are baby food and medicine needed during the flight, though these items must also be placed in a separate transparent bag and presented at security checks.

A spokeswoman for DAA last night said the authority had given out seven million transparent bags since they were first introduced under EU regulations in November 2006 at a cost of €70,000 per year. “We’ve been giving the clear bags out free of charge for 2.5 years, and we’re probably the only airport left in Europe still doing so,” she said. “Passengers don’t have to purchase the bags if they plan ahead.”

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said “this is a blatant example of the DAA making a bags of things and overcharging passengers”.

“Ryanair will consider offering passengers the chance to buy two bags for 50 cent,” she added.

The charges follow the publication of DAA’s annual report last month, which showed a 28 per cent fall in profits for 2008.

The authority said it expects passenger numbers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports to decline by 11 per cent this year, and has forecast an “earnings shortfall” of €60-70 million as a result of the recession.

The State-owned airport manager also projected “minimal passenger growth” up to 2011, saying it expects to post losses this year and next.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times