THE Aviation Security Group on Wednesday reminded all passengers that lighters and other flammable substances such as perfumes are still banned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Avsegroup director Supt. Mao Aplasca said in line with strict security measures being implemented by the Manila International Airport Authority to protect all out-bound travelers, any flammable substance are not allowed to hand carry inside the aircraft.
Aplasca said his men and members of the Office of Transportation Security manning the security X-ray machines at the initial and final check of the Naia terminals will continue confiscating all kinds of lighters from check-in luggage and especially from hand carry of departing passengers.
MIAA records of the four international and domestic passenger terminals showed that OTS Screening Officers assigned at the gates confiscated more than 50 pieces of lighters almost every day in a continuing effort after it was declared “banned item and among others” on board the plane.
The strict measure prohibiting travelers from carrying lighters even from check-in luggage came after a Chinese passenger in Guangzhou, China tried to light a fire on board a Chinese airline last July 26, 2015.
Reports showed that the attempted arson happened aboard Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH 9648 from the city of Taizhou to Guangzhou, near Hong Kong. Passengers and crew restrained the man in the flight before he was taken into custody.
Before the arrest, the pilot issued a mayday call and the plane was guided into Guangzhou airport. Slides were deployed and 95 passengers and nine crew members were evacuated. Two people were injured.
Aside from lighters, airport and airline authorities also banned use and battery charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 at the airports and aircrafts to ensure the safety of passengers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines earlier urged airline operators, MIAA officials and other airport managers nationwide to prohibit the device.
CAAP acting director Jim Sydiongco made the advisory following the announcement of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. issued a recall order on all Galaxy Note 7 devices.
“In light of the official announcement by Samsung to recall and voluntarily replace all Galaxy Note 7 devices already sold to the public due to reported incidents of exploding and catching fire, the CAAP strongly encourages all operators to advice passengers not to turn on or charge these devices while inside the airport premises and / or on board the aircraft,” Sydiongco said in a memorandum.
“Moreover, all are enjoined to require passengers not to stow these devices in any checked baggage, but instead carry these devices with them where an incident can be immediately mitigated,” the memorandum stated.