Aviation

New EU Carry-On Rules Begin September 2024: What to Expect

Starting Sunday, September 1, 2024, the European Union (EU) will enforce new air travel regulations aimed at standardizing hand luggage rules and liquid carry-on policies across all airlines operating within the bloc.

This initiative, introduced by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, seeks to bring uniformity to previously disparate rules concerning hand luggage size, weight, and liquid restrictions across European airlines and airports.

Until now, travelers in Europe faced varying rules depending on the airline and airport, often leading to confusion and inconvenience. The new regulations are set to eliminate these inconsistencies, providing a single set of guidelines for all airlines in the EU.

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One of the key changes is the reinstatement of the 100mL liquid restriction for carry-ons, which aligns with the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule in the United States. This means that liquids in containers larger than 100mL will no longer be permitted in carry-on luggage. This decision mirrors a similar move by the UK government in June, which had drawn criticism from travelers accustomed to more lenient liquid rules.

The introduction of these new regulations is anticipated to cause extended delays at European airports in the coming weeks, particularly as passengers adjust to the revised rules. This change comes ahead of another significant update: starting November 10, European border stations will cease stamping passports and will instead use a biometric-based Entry-Exit System (EES).

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This system will use digital photographs and fingerprints to register travelers from non-EU countries. Despite the stricter liquid rules, there will be exceptions for essential medical supplies, special dietary products, and baby food, which will still be allowed in larger quantities. The EU plans to uphold these new regulations until all airports within the region implement uniform screening technology.

Travelers are advised to prepare for the upcoming changes and stay informed about the new hand luggage rules to ensure a smoother journey through European airports.

Aviation

Two Russian Schoolboys Arrested for Destroying Mi-8T Helicopter

In a shocking act of sabotage, two Russian teenagers, aged 13 and 14, have been arrested for burning down a Mi-8T military helicopter at an airport.

The boys, Timur and Sasha, reportedly used flammable liquid and cigarettes to ignite the helicopter, resulting in a fiery explosion that caused severe damage, leaving the aircraft almost completely destroyed.

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According to reports by Russian media outlet BAZA, which has close ties to law enforcement, the teenagers claimed they were promised around £42,000 through the Telegram messaging app in exchange for carrying out the attack.

Two Russian schoolboys, aged 13 and 14 years, burned down a Mi-8T helicopter (RA-24519) at the airport of the city of Noyabrsk, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug of Russia on 11 September 2024.

Russian authorities arrested the teenagers on charges of blowing up a Mi-8 helicopter by… pic.twitter.com/MvVeoZFoZU— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 15, 2024

While the source of the offer remains unknown, one theory suggests the boys may have been motivated by the hope that the act could somehow help bring home the father of one of the teenagers, who had been conscripted to fight in the war in Ukraine.

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The destruction of the £1 million helicopter led to their immediate arrest, as the boys suffered significant facial and hand burns during the incident. After fleeing the scene, they sought medical assistance, which ultimately revealed their involvement in the attack. Both teenagers are now under armed guard while receiving treatment in a local hospital.

Authorities revealed that this was not the first act of sabotage carried out by the boys. Earlier, they confessed to being paid £250 to destroy a mobile phone mast, which they successfully completed before targeting the helicopter. During their interrogation, they admitted to receiving 30,000 rubles for setting fire to the cell tower and were promised 5 million rubles for the helicopter attack.

The Mi-8T helicopter, used for military purposes, was reportedly left “almost completely wrecked,” with only the tail remaining intact following the explosion.