The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of tough restrictions on armed sky marshals on flights across the 27-nation European Union, permitting them to carry weapons only under strict conditions.

Air marshals must get permission from the country granting the airline's operating license, the country where the flight departs from and each nation along its flight path if they want to carry weapons on board, according to amendments to a draft bill on safety rules for European aircraft approved by the EU lawmakers.

Sharing the costs

The EU assembly also voted for the costs of security measures to
be met by both travelers and member states, and stressed
that security taxes must be used solely for airport and onboard security.

"This is a reasonable approach, taking into account the protection of airline customers', the industry's and the member states' interests," said Italian Liberal Democrat Paolo Costa, who
drew up the text.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States demanded that European nations agree to place armed air marshals on selected U.S.-bound flights, but most European airlines are opposed to the idea.

Under current rules, it is up to the individual EU governments to decide if airlines from their country can have armed marshals on board.

Liquid carry-ons debate

The parliament also wants any special security measures, such as
a ban on liquids, to expire after six months unless they are deemed
necessary following a review of security risks, the costs and the
impact.

New limits on transporting liquids and creams in the EU came
into force in November after British authorities announced in August that they had foiled an alleged plot to blow up US-bound airliners using liquid explosives smuggled aboard.