SEIZED FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Guide dogs land airport deal
Bottles seized at an airport for being too big to carry on board flights are being donated to charity.
In the past, alcohol, perfume, aftershave and other valuables confiscated from passengers were thrown away.
Now Edinburgh Airport are to donate all seized unopened items, including some children’s toys, to Guide Dogs Scotland.
The move marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of tough UK-wide hand luggage rules for flyers.
Since 2006, liquid products have been limited to 100ml per container and no more than would fit in a one-litre plastic bag when passengers pass through airport security.
The charity move is also designed to highlight a new awareness campaign for passengers departing from Scotland’s busiest airport.
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s chief executive, said: “Sadly, hundreds of litres of liquids have to be handed over at security every week.
“Most confiscations are bottles of water, drinks and toiletries. But our security team are forced to take sealed bottles of wine, spirits, perfumes and aftershaves too.
“As of September 5, we will be donating sealed, untampered confiscated liquids to Guide Dogs Scotland, who can use the items for fundraising.
“In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to highlight rules on security with an online and in-terminal awareness drive to remind passengers in an effort to save them losing items.
“Hopefully, it will come as some comfort to passengers that any confiscated liquids are used for the benefit of a great charity like Guide Dogs Scotland and not poured down the sink as they were previously and as happens at other airports.”
Edinburgh Airport are the first in Scotland to donate seized items to charity. The scheme will be managed by local firm Specialist Waste Recycling.
Guide Dogs Scotland say confiscated ititems willill beb soldld att charityhit eventst including auctions, raffles and tombolas.
Guide Dogs Scotland’s Kyla Stratton said: “Edinburgh Airport have come up with a great way to support a good cause while highlighting regulations about liquids in hand luggage.
“Our preference is that passengers are aware of the regulations. But in future, we hope that anyone whose liquids are confiscated can take comfort in knowing the items will be donated to charity.”