Latest news with #RalphBeisel
Times of Oman
02-08-2025
- Times of Oman
Europe's airports prepare to ease unpopular liquid rules
Strict liquid limits for air travel hand luggage may soon be history in the European Union, as new scanners capable of detecting liquid explosives receive official approval. Currently, air travelers are limited to carrying liquids in containers of no more than 100 milliliters, but the technology could mark the beginning of the end for one of air travel's most disliked rules. Why are the liquid rules being relaxed? The scanners utilize medical-grade CT imaging, providing high-resolution 3D visuals that allow security staff to examine the contents of luggage layer by layer without slowing the screening process. They can detect both solid and liquid explosives. An EU Commission spokesperson told the DPA news agency that the technology now permits airports to lift the rule. But it remains up to each hub whether and when to implement the change. The rules won't be relaxed immediately, with most airports not equipped with the technology. However, the German Airports Association (ADV) told the AFP news agency that air travelers at certain airports in Germany may soon be able to carry up to two liters of liquids in their hand luggage. "This is a major step toward greater convenience and faster procedures at airports," said ADV chief executive Ralph Beisel, calling the technology "safe and reliable." Meanwhile, most German air passengers will have to wait. A mix of old and new equipment, inconsistent software readiness, and the inability to notify passengers in advance about which scanner will be used mean travelers must continue sticking to the previous rules. Items must still be placed in resealable plastic bags of up to one liter. The original 100ml liquid rules have often confused travelers — particularly when first introduced — with unclear guidelines, inconsistent enforcement, and frustration over what's allowed. Do airports already have the scanners? Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt has installed the new scanners at 40 of its nearly 190 screening lanes, with 40 more devices on order. But for now, no policy changes are planned due to the uncertainty about scanner assignment for individual passengers. In Munich, Germany's second-biggest hub, the scanners are already available in large numbers, but according to a government spokesperson, necessary software upgrades will be postponed to avoid disrupting the summer travel season. Therefore, the liquid restrictions remain, especially in lanes still using conventional technology. The EU Commission says about 700 of the CT-based scanners are already in use or being installed across airports in 21 EU countries. The liquid rule was introduced in 2006, following a foiled terror plot involving the use of liquid explosives onboard a plane. CT scanners have been around for years and were at times already used to permit larger liquid containers. However, doubts emerged last year about their reliability, prompting the EU to mandate additional testing.
DW
01-08-2025
- DW
Europe's airports prepare to ease unpopular liquid rules – DW – 08/01/2025
Air travelers in Germany may soon be able to carry up to two liters of liquids in their hand luggage at certain airports. However, the change will only apply at security checkpoints equipped with advanced CT scanners. Strict liquid limits for air travel hand luggage may soon be history in the European Union, as new scanners capable of detecting liquid explosives receive official approval. Currently, air travelers are limited to carrying liquids in containers of no more than 100 milliliters, but the technology could mark the beginning of the end for one of air travel's most disliked rules. The scanners utilize medical-grade CT imaging, providing high-resolution 3D visuals that allow security staff to examine the contents of luggage layer by layer without slowing the screening process. They can detect both solid and liquid explosives. An EU Commission spokesperson told the DPA news agency that the technology now permits airports to lift the rule. But it remains up to each hub whether and when to implement the change. The rules won't be relaxed immediately, with most airports not equipped with the technology. However, the German Airports Association (ADV) told the AFP news agency that air travelers at certain airports in Germany may soon be able to carry up to two liters of liquids in their hand luggage. "This is a major step toward greater convenience and faster procedures at airports," said ADV chief executive Ralph Beisel, calling the technology "safe and reliable." Meanwhile, most German air passengers will have to wait. A mix of old and new equipment, inconsistent software readiness, and the inability to notify passengers in advance about which scanner will be used mean travelers must continue sticking to the previous rules. Items must still be placed in resealable plastic bags of up to one liter. The original 100ml liquid rules have often confused travelers — particularly when first introduced — with unclear guidelines, inconsistent enforcement, and frustration over what's allowed. Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt has installed the new scanners at 40 of its nearly 190 screening lanes, with 40 more devices on order. But for now, no policy changes are planned due to the uncertainty about scanner assignment for individual passengers. In Munich, Germany's second-biggest hub, the scanners are already available in large numbers, but according to a government spokesperson, necessary software upgrades will be postponed to avoid disrupting the summer travel season. Therefore, the liquid restrictions remain, especially in lanes still using conventional technology. The EU Commission says about 700 of the CT-based scanners are already in use or being installed across airports in 21 EU countries. The liquid rule was introduced in 2006, following a foiled terror plot involving the use of liquid explosives onboard a plane. CT scanners have been around for years and were at times already used to permit larger liquid containers. However, doubts emerged last year about their reliability, prompting the EU to mandate additional testing.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Inbound air travel to Germany drops amid poor flight connections: survey
BERLIN, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of inbound air travelers to Germany has dropped due to inadequate international flight connections, according to a survey published on Tuesday by the German Airports Association (ADV). The survey, which collected responses from more than 125,000 travelers, revealed that only 21 percent of air passengers arriving in Germany last year were foreign visitors. This marks a sharp decline from 32 percent in 2017. "Germany, once an attractive travel destination, has been on a downward spiral since the pandemic," said Ralph Beisel, managing director of ADV. The association attributes the decrease to a lack of sufficient international air links. Even Frankfurt Airport, the country's largest air hub, has not been immune to the slump. Its operator reported on Tuesday a first-quarter loss of 26.4 million euros (29.5 million U.S. dollars), compared with a profit of 12.7 million euros in the same period last year. The new German government must include air travel in its strategies to enhance Germany's appeal as a travel destination, Beisel said. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollar)
Al Arabiya
09-03-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
German airports face disruption Monday from labor union strike
Almost all German airports, including the country's major hubs in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, face disruptions on Monday after labor union called on ground personnel, baggage handlers and security staff to go on a one-day strike. Major restrictions on departures and arrivals, including widespread flight cancellations, are expected. In general, the strikes will start Sunday night and end 24 hours later, the union said in a statement on Sunday. Hamburg's airport is already closed because of the walkout, according to its website. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app. 'The strikes are cutting off an entire country from air traffic,' said Ralph Beisel, managing director of airport association ADV. 'We appeal to to consider the interests of passengers and to seek an amicable solution at the negotiating table.' The union, which represents around 2 million workers, last week voiced support for the sweeping fiscal reform plans by Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, saying it would help modernize the country's crumbling infrastructure. Europe's biggest economy has earmarked debt-financed investments of €500 billion ($543 billion) over 10 years and plans to boost defense spending on a massive scale. The union's demands include higher pay, more vacation days and restrictions on temporary contracts. 'With their warning strikes on Monday, the employees will show that they are serious about improving their working conditions,' Wolfgang Pieper, chief negotiator, said in the statement.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some 3,400 flights expected to be scrapped in Germany due to strikes
More than 3,400 flights will have to be cancelled due to strikes expected at 11 German airports on Monday, according to an initial estimate by airport association ADV, predicting some 510,000 travellers will be affected. "Striking at 11 locations at the same time is a new dimension," asid ADV managing director Ralph Beisel on Friday, hours after the trade union announced the industrial action at major transport hubs including Germany's Frankfurt and Munich airports. Beisel said the strikes were a nightmare for affected passengers, citing "far-reaching consequences for individual mobility and economic processes." The strikes come amid an ongoing wage dispute for public sector workers which already to led to cancellations at major German airports last month. Some 800,000 passengers have faced disruptions due to collective bargaining negotiations so far, according to ADV. Joachim Lang, managing director at German aviation association BDL called Monday's strikes disproportionate. "An entire industry is being shut down across the board, even though airports and airlines, as well as restaurants, retailers and hotels, are not parties to the collective agreement," he said. Lang called for new strike regulations in the critical infrastructure sector.
