by UK AIRPORTS to scrap ban on liquids over 100ml by 2024.
New rules coming into force mean passengers traveling through UK airports will be able to carry drinks, make-up and liquids of any size in their hand luggage for the first time in 16 years.
3
3
According to The Times, passengers can keep everything in their bags instead of being asked to remove laptops and throw away liquids over 100ml at screenings,
Baggage will then go through special CT scanners that will allow airport security to inspect bags from a 3D image, which will be a vast improvement over the 2D images currently used.
This is likely to have a huge impact on families traveling during school holidays, with the hope that the change will significantly improve waiting times at security.
It will also be welcome news for airport bosses who suffered a huge backlash over long queues this summer.
Trials of the new technology are already underway at Heathrow and it is expected to be rolled out as a permanent feature at the UK’s major airports by mid-2024.
Heathrow Airport boss John Holland-Kay told The Times: “We have just started expanding the security area in Terminal 3, which will have more CT scanners and has a mid-2024 deadline from the DFT.
“By then, the normal passenger experience will be for liquids to remain in bags.”
The new scanners also mean that travelers no longer have to put liquids in a clear plastic bag.
But until the changes come into effect, anyone catching a flight from the UK will have to comply with the current rules on liquids.
Restrictions on the size of liquids were introduced in 2006 after terrorist attacks involving liquid explosives were thwarted at Heathrow.
Trials of the technology began in 2019 at the UK’s largest airport and are also taking place at Gatwick.
Despite the lifting of the ban on large liquids, other carry-on restrictions remain in place, including a ban on sharps and cigarette lighters.
Not only drinks are prohibited, there are also restrictions on certain foods at security.
3
