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Canadian travellers can now bring small knives onto airplanes

Transport Canada updates carry-on luggage rules to permit small knives onboard aircraft
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Transport Canada will allow passengers to bring small knives and certain types powders and granular material onboard domestic and international flights beginning Nov. 27. The new rule changes do not apply to flights bound for the United States. (NICHOLAS PESCOD/NEWS BULLETIN)

Travellers flying out of Canadian airports will soon be able to bring small knives onboard airplanes.

Transport Canada has recently announced changes to their prohibited items list for air passengers.

Beginning on Nov. 27, travellers be allowed to carry on knives with blades no longer than six centimetres in length. Razor blades and box cutters of any size remain banned.

Passengers will also be allowed to carry on certain powders and granular material as long as they do not exceed 350 millilitres in volume. Baby formula, protein powder, tea and coffee will still be permitted in any quantity. Bath salts, sea salt, baby powder, foot powder, cooking powder and sand will not be permitted.

The new carry-on changes apply to all domestic and international flights except flights bound for the United States.

Marie-Anyk Côté, senior media relations advisor with Transport Canada, said in an e-mailed statement to the News Bulletin that the changes to Canada’s carry-on luggage rules are being done to become more in line with European Union and United Kingdom carry-on regulations and reflect the rules set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency responsible for establishing international aviation safety guidelines.

“The European Union, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have allowed knives, scissors and tools six centimetres or less on aircraft for several years. Passengers who travel from these countries to Canada with small knives have done so for years without issues. Given increased security awareness of air travellers and the aviation community, small knives represent a limited risk to aviation safety and security,” Côté said.

Mike Hooper, chief executive officer with the Nanaimo Airport, said the airport is aware of the changes by Transport Canada and will be posting information bulletins relaying those changes to passengers throughout their terminal.

“We will work with Transport Canada and the regulators and make sure that passengers have a minimal impact at the Nanaimo Airport,” he said.

Unlike larger airport such as Vancouver International Airport, travellers bring their checked baggage through security along with their carry-on bags at the Nanaimo Airport. Hooper said in the event that someone brings something in their carry on that they can’t take on the plane, they can always move items into their checked baggage at security, adding travellers have other options should there be an issue.

“They can always do a transfer,” he said. “We also have a free hold for pick up service if they get stuck.”

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nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com

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