Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Liquor merchants at the Sangster International Airport reported significant loss in revenue yesterday as the United States Department of Homeland Security banned the carrying of liquids on to flights.
"It has had (an) adverse effect on us, because there were a lot of passengers who could not be bothered with purchasing liquor, then to have it taken at the gate and checked," David Topping, manager of Jamaica Farewell, one of the four liquor stores in the airport told The Gleaner.
Topping, who is also co-chair of the Airports Tenants Association, said the situation worsened about 4:00 p.m. when they were further advised that none of the 250 passengers on Thomson Holidays charter flight FC4244, which was scheduled for Manchester, England, was being allowed to make any purchase whatsoever.
"A woman just returned coffee and cake that she had purchased, the passengers going out on the England flight are not even being allowed to take gifts," he said.
Richard Reed, vice-president of operations, Sangster International Airport, told The Gleaner that the request for the Manchester-bound passengers not to make any purchase was a decision taken by Thomson Holidays.
Empty carry-on bags
The restrictions, which were implemented early
yesterday morning, saw passengers being forced to unload their carry-on bags on the floor in the centre of the terminal to remove gels, shampoos, suntan and body lotions, beverages, creams, toothpaste and
hair sprays.
President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Horace Peterkin, said the development could have a devastating effect on the island's tourist industry, particularly if the new procedures are maintained for any length of time.
"It is going to mean tremendous inconvenience to the traveling public, which includes primarily visitors to the island. I suspect that rather than going through the hassle, some may postpone or cancel their vacation plans," he said.
In the last seven months, the island has had a fantastic increase in visitor arrivals, with July showing a 22 per cent increase over 2005.
Year to date, the figures show an increase of approximately 17 per cent in arrivals over the same period
last year.
