The ban had cost the duty-free industry million of dollars in sales, according to the Canadian Airports Council.
"Duty free represents a vital source of revenue for Canada's locally-operated non-profit airports and the security restrictions on liquids in carry-on luggage effectively closed the nation's duty-free shops, " says president and CEO Jim Facette.
The interim agreement on duty-free goods requires air carriers to maintain possession of airport duty-free items on flights to the U.K and on post-cleared flights to the United States. Carriers will have the option of allowing airport-purchased duty-free liquids, gels or aerosols on the aircraft, so passengers are advised to check with their airline.
For other international flights, duty-free items will be delivered to the passenger at the gate, or in the case of Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, will be sold on a cash-and-carry basis.
For flights to the U.S. from airports with pre-clearance facilities such as Ottawa, passengers will be required to place their duty-free liquids, gels or aerosols into their checked baggage before proceeding through customs and immigration. However, some aerosols are not permitted in checked baggage.
"The security incidents of last week posed logistical challenges to all of us involved in commercial aviation in Canada, " says Mr. Facette. "While frustrating at times, the experience is highlighting the importance for all stakeholders in the industry to work together to find flexible solutions to the problems associated with providing commercial air travel securely today. "
