The U.S. government is set to relax restrictions on airlines that were instituted after authorities said they had foiled a plot to bomb airplanes between Britain and the United States, an administration official said Monday. The Homeland Security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the changes have not yet been announced, said that most liquids and gels purchased from secure areas of airport will now be allowed on planes. The new rules are set to be announced this morning at a news conference at Reagan National Airport. The tougher airport screening procedures were put in place in August after British police announced they had foiled a plot to assemble and detonate bombs using liquid explosives on airliners crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to the United States At the time, the Homeland Security Department briefly raised the threat level to red, the highest level, for flights bound to the United States from Britain. All other flights were at orange and will remain at orange, the second-highest level, for now. New procedures are also being announced Monday for items like liquid cosmetic products. Since the new rules were implemented, those products have been confiscated at airports, but the official said travelers will now be able to carry the items onto the plane in clear plastic bags, if they pass screening measures.
