Cricket bats banned from planes

Sunday, 18 January 2004 12:00 AM

"Potentially dangerous weapons" such as golf clubs, cricket bats and lacrosse sticks will be banned from aeroplanes across Europe as member states harmonise security arrangements.

From February, passengers carrying articles on the European Commission's "prohibited list," backed by EU civil aviation authorities, will have them put in the aircraft's hold.

Items of concern include canoe paddles, snooker cues, skateboards, and fishing rods.

Among the more obvious items already banned include guns, knives, scissors, fireworks and aerosol spray paint.

An EU Commission spokesman said fishing rods and golf clubs were "blunt" terror instruments capable of causing injury.

And skateboards would be banned because some of them had "sharp edges."

The new regulations would ensure "a more transparent and more comprehensible system." a spokesman said in a statement.

The EU Commission vice-president Loyola de Palacio said the list was another step in "seeking high standards in the field of civil aviation security."

"The primary purpose of the legislation is to give clear and unambiguous information to passengers flying from EU airports as to which items will be confiscated at airport security checkpoints."

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