RESTRICTIONS on carrying liquids on flights within the EU will not be lifted in April 2010 as originally planned.

The European Commission has announced that this will not be the case until 2012.

At present, the technology to detect explosives in liquids has not yet been created, as had been expected.

Until such measures are available, passengers remain restricted to one litre of liquids in their hand luggage, divided into containers of not more than 100 millilitres each, and carried in a transparent plastic bag.

Spain’s minister for public works, José Blanco, said those present at yesterday’s meeting with the Commission agreed that safety should come first, even if it meant passengers’ comfort would have to be compromised for a little longer.

“If it could be addressed by 2011 instead, better still,” commented Blanco (pictured).