European Union member states have agreed to restrict the amount of liquid allowed to be taken onboard planes in hand luggage in order to increase security, the European Commission announced Wednesday.
The proposed new rules, with some exemptions for duty-free purchases, would ban containers of more than 100 millilitres of liquid in airplane cabins and require liquid containers to be carried in transparent plastic bags.
The aim of the meeting of the EU's Regulatory Committee for Civil Aviation Security was "to develop possible aviation security measures to address the new threat of liquid explosives", the European Commission said in a statement.
Under the new rules the small liquid containers brought on board as cabin luggage would have to fit into a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum size of one litre.
The measures are very similar to those introduced on Tuesday in Canada and the US where travellers are now allowed to pack small quantities of shampoo and other toiletries in carry-on bags, but a ban on other liquids will remain indefinitely.
Under the European measures the size of cabin baggage will also be limited, to a maximum of 56 centimetres by 45 cm, by 25 cm (22 inchx18x10) with possibilities for exemptions for such items as musical instruments.
Currently carry-on baggage sizes differ from airline to airline, but the new maximum size is no smaller than many carriers allow at the moment.
The new rules will also require air passengers "to remove coats and jackets at security checkpoints". Laptop computers and electrical items will also have to be removed from bags at checkpoints.
The new safety measures follow an alleged plot by suicide bombers to smuggle volatile chemicals onto trans-Atlantic flights designed to trigger explosions.
Total bans on liquids, gels and aerosols in hand baggage were imposed in August after Britain foiled the alleged plot.
"I warmly welcome the results of the committee meeting which strike the necessary balance between a tough approach on security, the comfort of passengers and the needs of the industry," said European Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot.
Existing rules for carrying liquids as checked-in baggage are unchanged.
The bulk of the new rules will come into effect in early November after they have been officially published by the European Commission.
However the new carry-on luggage size rules will be brought in later "to allow operators solid preparation".