PASSENGERS leaving on international flights are liable to be swabbed to detect whether they have been handling any explosives, under new security standards being introduced in the middle of the year.

Randomly selected passengers will have a swab run across their travel documents or luggage. This will be analysed by a machine capable of detecting minute traces of explosives or explosive residues.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven announced the new security measures yesterday.

Aviation Security Service general manager Mark Everitt said about one in 10 passengers would be pulled out for the swab tests, which would take a few seconds.

The machines were capable of detecting whether someone had been using explosives or a gun within the previous week or two. Mr Everitt said checking systems would quickly establish whether people were legitimately allowed to use guns or explosives.

Twenty machines were being bought and would be operated at Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Dunedin and Queenstown. Similar explosive trace detection machines were already used at New Zealand's international airports to test luggage carried in aircraft holds.

Mr Everitt said airport security staff using X-rays and metal detectors had only been able to look for guns and knives.

"Though X-ray machines will find a bomb they could not detect traces of explosives. This will fill that gap."

The swabbing process was already required for flights to the United States.

The explosive trace detectors do not work with certain liquid explosives, however. This is why strict new measures are being introduced at the end of this month.

All international passengers will be able to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of only 100ml or less, and in a resealable plastic bag.

Mr Everitt said 162 extra staff were being hired to carry out the security measures. The cost is being covered by a $4.50 per passenger levy.

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