www.aena-aeropuertos.es

If you are going to travel to the United States, visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website to find out the security measures applicable in this country: http://www.tsa.gov.

Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

From 12 January 2009, in order to travel to the United States from countries included in the Visa Waiver Programme, which includes Spain, a travel authorisation will be required which must be completed electronically 72 hours before boarding the plane. This authorisation, which replaces the "green form" which used to be handed out on board the plane before landing on US soil, can be requested via the website https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

If you would like more information on the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, you can visit the official website: www.cbp.gov/travel or the US embassy in Spain: http://www.embusa.es. However, if you have any questions or require additional information, you should consult your airline or transportation agent.

Carrying liquids* in hand luggage

The American Department of Homeland Security allows the transport of liquids, gels and/or aerosols in hand luggage as long as they are contained in a transparent 1-litre bag (one bag per passenger) in containers not exceeding 100 millilitres. This regulation is identical to the EU regulation: only one bag per passenger.

At the time of boarding, the airline may carry out a security check on passengers to check compliance with these measures. Likewise, the airline may confiscate any liquid that is not medicine or for special dietary requirements, including baby food, depending on the passenger and their itinerary.

* Gels, aerosols, pastes, fluids and substances of a similar consistency are included under the generic term "liquids".

Buying liquids in airports

There are no restrictions as regards buying liquids in EU airport shops, as long as passengers acquire them in the boarding area after passing through the security checkpoints.

However, these liquids are not allowed in the passenger-only zones of US airports. Therefore, if you are going to take a connecting flight within the United States, you should place any liquids purchased in duty free shops in any EU airport or aircraft in your checked-in luggage before going through the corresponding security checkpoint. We recommend you do this while waiting to go through Immigration.

For full information regarding this issue, visit the link: www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/duty_free_travel_alert.shtm.

Prohibition to carry lithium batteries in checked-in luggage

Since 1 January 2008, the US government has prohibited carrying lithium batteries in checked-in luggage. For more information, visit the link: www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/batteries.shtm.