Posted by: Editor on Aug 11, 2006 – 10:17 AM
newsandinfo  The US Government issued a heightened alert due to the incident in the UK yesterday.  This has resulted in additional security measures in Nassau and other airports in The Bahamas serving international travelers. Effective yesterday, an additional security check will be added, whereby passengers may experience a hand search of their carry-on items.

Passengers departing Nassau from the US departure area will find this search occurring upstairs, after they have left the airline counter and are headed to their gate.  Previously, this has been an area of random checking but until such time the orange/red alert is reduced, all passengers will be checked.  We have been assured that this is an interim security measure and additional personnel have been added to help expedite the processing.

Also, earlier yesterday there was a Directive issued which prohibited the inclusion of numerous categories of liquid (liquor, lotions, gels, toothpaste, beverages….) in carry on luggage.  There was a great deal of misunderstanding surrounding this Directive, with some airlines interpreting it to mean that these items were not permitted to be included in either check-in or carry-on luggage.  Consequently, many passengers had these items taken from them at the airport.

The Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration has clarified this directive:

August 10th 2006 – Effective Immediately
Due to heightened security requirements, airline passengers will be unable to carry any liquids or gels of any size on to the cabin of the aircraft either on their person or in their carry-on luggage.  Restricted items include beverages, perfumes, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Such items may be transported in checked baggage.
Passenger may carry-on:  Baby Formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling. Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket. Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.

Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding the aircraft.

Source: The Bahamas Hotel Association