Duty-free operator King Power International Group expects its sales to fall by 20-30 per cent or aboutBt3 billion when limits are placed on the amount of liquids and gels passengers can take onto aircraft.

Narong Pornpiriyakulchai, outlet-operations director, said sales would fall dramatically, particularly during the first three to six months of the enforcement, which starts on Friday. However, the situation is expected to return to normal after that time because passengers will have a better understanding of the issue.

Narong said sales of water, alcohol, perfume and gel products would be most affected.

Apart from its duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the group runs similar businesses at the provincial airports of Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket.

King Power has targeted sales of more than Bt10 billion this year. The figure is double that of 2006 because it has opened a large area at Suvarnabhumi and a duty-free complex in central Bangkok.

The Civil Aviation Department yesterday had a meeting with airlines and operators to prepare for the implementation of the rules on liquids.

According to the department, all passengers are required to cooperate with airlines and agencies. Each passenger can carry 1,000cc of liquids and gels, and all items must be packed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag. The products include water, beverages, creams, lotions, oil, perfumes, sprays, hair gel, bath gel, all types of foam, toothpaste and body spray. Excepted are foods, medicine and baby milk, but they must be of suitable size.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has ordered international airlines to enforce the measures for security reasons relating to the threat of terrorism.

The measures are already being enforced in most Western countries. Australia started implementing the rules on March 1, and Singapore followed on May 8, but many countries have not yet introduced them.

Civil Aviation Department director-general Chaisak Angkasuwan said Airports of Thailand, airlines and King power would provide information to help passengers follow the rules.

"All parties will provide passengers with plastic bags until the end of this September. After that passengers will be required to handle it themselves," Chaisak said.

The ICAO will visit Thailand on June 27 to check enforcement of the rules at Suvarnabhumi and one provincial airport.

Thai Airways International and Malaysia Airlines have announced they are ready for implementation.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation