Italian airport makes special exception to liquid ban - for pesto

While many airports are tightening their travel restrictions, one has gone against the grain and relaxed its rules.

The 100ml liquid limit remains in force at Genoa‘s Cristoforo Colombo airport, but there is one key exception – pesto.

Now fans of the basil and pine nut sauce will be able to pack up to 500g of this precious cargo in their luggage without issue, in return for a donation to a local charity.

Airport staff came up with the idea after finding themselves confiscating countless jars of the popular pasta sauce.

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To take advantage of the offer, travellers must pay a minimum of €0.50 for a special sticker. Their pesto is then scanned in a special x-ray machine before it boards the plane as an item of hand luggage.

The money raised is being given to Flying Angels, a charity that sends ill children abroad for treatment.

The airport announced on Monday that €500 had already been raised in the first 20 days of the initiative.

Image: Rex