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::: u.tv :::: "Airport retailers' duty free relief

The decision to allow air passengers to take goods bought from duty free shops on to planes has come as a huge relief to airport retailers.




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There had been fears that airside shops would see a dramatic drop in sales following the introduction of strict new anti-terror measures banning travellers from carrying hand-luggage on to aircraft.

But yesterday the rules were eased to allow items bought in the departure lounge to be carried on to planes.

BAA, the airports operator, put up notices telling passengers that they could buy any goods from shops in departure lounges, including liquids and electrical items.

However US airlines have maintained a ban on carrying liquids on to planes bound for America.

A BAA spokeswoman said airside purchases had been through necessary security checks and so were deemed safe to take on to aircraft.

The decision was a welcome move for passengers who had faced the prospect of lengthy flights with little or no entertainment.

It also prompted retailers to re-asses their stock.

Boots, which has stores in many UK airports, has seen a shift in the type of goods people are buying.

A spokeswoman said stores had stocked up on sandwiches, drinks, nappies and baby wipes to meet the demand.

'We are selling a lot more short term purchases, things that people will want over a period of a couple of hours,' she said.

'As soon as we knew of the change in the security rules, within a matter of hours we had changed deliveries and stock supplies anticipating that people who are airside would be in a much more uncomfortable position than those landside.'

She said it was too earl"