75 percent drop in Piarco sales

Following Wednesday’s arrest of several terror suspects who are believed to have been plotting to blow up as many as ten passenger aircraft, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stipulated that passengers cannot carry any liquids, including beverages, shampoo, hair gel, toothpaste, suntan lotion or anything else of a similar consistency onto airlines. In addition to this, all carry-on bags must be checked. These restrictions have been extended to those travelling to and from the US and UK. As a result, passengers who would usually purchase perfumes and liquor at the duty-free shopping area of the Piarco airport can no longer do so.

Among the affected shops is Stechers Trinidad Limited, which has three Piarco departments which include a fragrance and liquor department.

Ahmeda Hosein, Stechers Branch manager told Sunday Newsday “The impact has been terrible. It is not just us, sales have dropped by 75 percent. We have to go with the regulations but we have been having a hard time for the last two days. Business cannot continue like this.”

Hosein indicated that the company was willing to bear with the hindrance because the company believes the safety of travellers comes first.

One sales representative at the BWIA Piarco Gift Shop verified the reported reduction in sales.

“The reduction in sales is significant. We can only sell things like cigarettes and chocolates,” explained the representative.

She added that the shop was basically relying on liquor sales to incoming travellers but this was not satisfactory because passengers are only allowed two bottles per person.