EU Abandons Plan to End Liquids Curbs in Air Travel in 2013

The European Union abandoned a plan to force its airports to install equipment for screening liquids in carry-on bags as of next year, delaying the end of anti-terrorism curbs on drinks that travelers can take on board.

The European Commission said it would propose to scrap a provision in EU law under which the bloc’s airports must start using such scanning technology, made by companies including Smiths Group Plc, by April 2013. The commission, the 27-nation EU’s regulatory arm, recommended an indefinite delay because of the need for improvements in the equipment.