Restrictions on carry-on liquids at all European airports must be relaxed in two years despite the objections of airport operators.
European Union transport commissioner Siim Kallas reaffirmed the April 2013 deadline for lifting the ban on liquids in containers greater than 100ml at the weekend.
Kallas said all EU airports had to meet the deadline, warning: “If some countries lift the ban and some do not, it will be disastrous.”
Restrictions on the duty-free purchases of some transfer passengers will be lifted this week at EU airports outside the UK.
Transfer passengers on flights originating outside the EU will be allowed to carry duty-free goods on to connecting flights from Friday. But the restriction will remain at UK airports after transport secretary Phillip Hammond ruled out its relaxation for security reasons.
The partial change risks confusing passengers who will be able to carry bottles bought at airport duty-free shops on to connecting flights at Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam airports, but not at Heathrow.
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) has said the technology for screening the liquids in carry-on bags is not yet ready, despite screening machines being installed at leading UK airports over the past year.
The airports are concerned that a partial lifting of restrictions could confuse passengers and lead to chaos.
The current restrictions have been in place since late 2006 following the discovery of a plot to smuggle explosives aboard aircraft in liquids resembling hair products.
Kallas told The Guardian newspaper: “Some airports are questioning the rationality of lifting the ban because life is easier as it is.” But he said: “Politically, that is unacceptable. I would like airports to make [the] necessary investments so we can lift the ban as agreed for transfer passengers.”
A UK Department for Transport spokesman said: “It remains our intention that the restrictions on liquids will be lifted by 2013.”