STRICT rules on liquids will be lifted at a major UK airport for the first time early next month, making things easier for passengers.
The current 100ml liquid regulations were originally introduced as a temporary measure back in 2006, but have remained in place ever since.
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New scanners will prevent passengers from taking laptops out of bagsCredit: Getty
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CT scanners are being introduced at all UK airportsCredit: Alamy
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Birmingham Airport is set to become the first major airport to have them Credit: Getty
However, they are finally due to be phased out at all UK airports in the near future, with Birmingham set to be the first of the major hubs to get rid of them.
London City has already lifted the rules, but handles a relatively small four million passengers a year, compared with the 12 million served by Birmingham, making it by far the UK’s biggest to make the changes.
Key to removing the liquids rule are new CT scanners being installed at airports across the UK.
They eliminate the need for passengers to limit the amount of liquid in hand luggage to 100 ml. The new limit will be two litres, once the technology is fully operational.
The scanners also mean passengers will no longer have to take liquids and laptops out of their bags when going through airport security.
This will make the process of getting to the departure gate much faster and less stressful.
Birmingham should have the scanners up and running by June 1, which coincides with the last weekend of the half-term holidays, the Times reports.
Luton and Bristol airports also intend to roll out the new technology by June, with the latter said to be investing more than £10 million in new security equipment.
Teesside Airport is one of two, along with London City Airport, that have already installed them.
However, it will be some time before the new 3D scanning systems are in place at all UK airports, and most of the big ones will not meet the deadline set by the government.
Despite the Department for Transport (DfT) initially giving all airports a deadline of June 2024, several major airports have fallen behind.
Explanation of the new EU entry and exit system and the EuropeTravel Visa (ETIAS).
London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester have been given an extension until the summer of 2025 to make sure they have fully installed the new scanners.
Work began on the implementation of the new technology, but they were unable to complete the full transfer from the old scanners.
Gatwick expects to have the remaining scanners in place by the first three months of 2025, which is said to be a similar timeframe to Stansted and Manchester.
Structural problems and maintaining safety operations while installing the new machines were the source of most of the delays.
Hand Baggage Rules for UK Airlines
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when you book their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40 cm x 20 cm x 25 cm
EasyJet
One personal bag no larger than 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits under the front seat and one cabin bag no larger than 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm weighing up to 10 kg
TUI
One personal item located under the front seat and one cabin bag not larger than 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm weighing up to 10 kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm and one hand bag no larger than 56 cm x 45 cm 25 cm weighing up to 23 kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits under the front seat and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
This means that travelers heading out this half term shouldn’t get too excited about being able to travel without strict liquid restrictions.
Travel association ABTA warned anyone going abroad at the time to stick to the current 100ml rules, saying many overseas airports also did not have the new scanners.
His message is simply to carry on “as if nothing has changed” for now, until more airports deploy the technology.
ABTA Director of Public Affairs, Luke Petherbridge, said: “Half term is a popular time for families to escape to guaranteed sunshine, with European favorites such as Spain, Greece, Turkey and Portugal set to welcome significant numbers of visitors.
“To help everyone enjoy a stress-free experience this half term, our message is simple – you won’t go wrong if you adhere to the current liquids and laptop rules when preparing your hand luggage.
“The new airport scanners will speed things up and strengthen security once they are fully implemented.
“While we have this period where airports are still working to implement changes, it’s best to travel as if nothing has changed.”
Meanwhile, these two items usually cause problems for passengers at airport security.
And this airport security guard discovered the mistakes that are holding people back on their way to the departure gate.
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Passengers are currently required to adhere to strict 100ml liquid limits Credit: Getty – Contributor
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