Moscow airports ban all carry-on liquids
Print Edition
Moscow’s two main international airports yesterday announced a flat ban on all carry-on liquids as part of a mass security clampdown ahead of next month’s Sochi Winter Games.
Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports handle the vast majority of Russia’s international air traffic and will receive the bulk of foreign fans arriving for the February 7-23 Olympic Games on the shores of the Black Sea.
Extending even to some prescribed medication and cosmetics, the unexpected ban — the latest in a string of tough security moves leading up to the Games — sparked a furious online debate among Russians.
Russia this week launched the largest security operation in Olympic history aimed at warding off the threat of Islamist violence following last month’s twin suicide strikes in the southern hub of Volgograd.
The December 29-30 bombings left 34 dead and sparked fears of a renewed terror campaign by militants from the nearby North Caucasus who have threatened attacks before and during the Games.
Sheremetyevo said on its website that the ban covers “all liquids, including personal hygiene items, cosmetics, medicines, liquids, sprays and gels in any amount.” It also applies to “items used in arts and crafts such as paints, soil and glue.”
The restrictions adopted by the Federal Air Transport Agency will remain in force until March 21.
The two Moscow airports previously let passengers take up to 100 milliliters of liquids on board flights.
Security has been a major concern ever since President Vladimir Putin beat extreme odds in 2007 to bring Russia’s first post-Soviet Games to the Black Sea summer resort.
Sochi will also host the March 7-16 Paralympic Games and Putin has publicly forbidden security officials from taking vacations until the last foreign visitor leaves the country from that event.
Russia on Tuesday saw soldiers in armored vehicles and navy officers on the Black Sea join a 37,000-strong contingent overseeing security in and around Sochi.
A Kremlin decree also establishes a “forbidden zone” that blocks highways into the city and prevents residents from using roads leading to Olympic venues without special permits.
Russia’s postal service has assumed checks of all mail and parcels sent to the Krasnodar region in and around Sochi “in order to ensure safety” at the Olympic events.
The latest restriction provoked an immediate chorus of complaints. The flagship Aeroflot airline in particular sparked an outcry by warning that travellers will be stripped of their medication unless they can prove it needs to be used during flights.
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