Russian airlines passengers will be allowed to keep their shoes and thin belts on during pre-flight security checks, and also to bring liquids on board the plane.

      Russia’s Transport Ministry plans to put the new instructions into force starting from mid-May. According to it, passengers will be able to keep their shoes on if “their sole is less than 1 centimeter thick and their heels are less than 2.5 centimeters.” They also will be allowed to keep their belts on if they are less than 4 centimeters wide.

      Previously, all the travelers had to put their shoes, coats, belts and any other items containing metal into special containers to be X-rayed.

      Another main point of the new instructions is easing of restrictions on liquids passengers can carry in their cabin luggage. Currently, passengers are only allowed to take liquids in individual containers of up to 100 milliliters each.

      Such measures were introduced because of some liquid explosives, which were difficult to determine. But now, modern Russian-made equipment can determine the liquid’s chemical composition even in a sealed bottle. 

      Therefore, passengers will be enabled to carry shampoo and perfume in hand luggage. Still, flammable liquids, such as liquors, will not be allowed. As distinct from new security search rules, this initiative will come into force only this autumn, and only in main airports first. 

Sources: rg.ru RIA Novosti Image: b-port.com