UK airport warns strict liquid rules to remain in place during entire summer holidays
AN airport in the UK has confirmed that the strict liquid rules won’t be scrapped in time for the summer holidays.
New CT scanners being rolled out across the UK are set to make it much easier for Brits travelling with hand luggage.
The new system will allow holidaymakers to not only leave their liquids in their bag, rather than take them all out, but will be able to take more than 100ml.
Rather than fit the tiny bottles in a small plastic bag, new rules will allow up to 2l of liquids instead.
The UK government initially gave a deadline of June 2024 for all UK airports to roll this out, with only a handful meeting the deadline.
And Edinburgh Airport has warned travellers they won’t be lifting the rules until after the summer holidays.
While they currently have one scanner installed, they have warned passengers to still follow the 100ml rules.
In response to someone on social media, a spokesperson said: “Please prepare for security as normal and continue to follow the 100ml liquid rules.
“New scanners are being installed at security however this is an ongoing process and the rules will not change this summer.”
A spokesperson told Edinburgh Airport: “This is a rolling installation programme and the new scanners will come online over the next few months.
“Passengers should continue to follow existing rules throughout this summer. We will make an announcement when all work is complete.
“Following the existing rules around liquids and electrical items will help people move through security as quickly and safely as possible.”
A number of UK airports met the deadline for scrapping the liquid rules.
Teesside Airport was the first airport to do so back in 2023, followed by London City Airport and Aberdeen Airport earlier this year.
And Birmingham Airport became the first major UK airport to do so last month, with Bristol Airport confirming they would follow suit on June 14.
However, last month the government rolled back the rules at short notice.
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed it would be a “temporary measure” but was to “enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems”.
They said: “From 0001 on Sunday 9th June 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation.
“This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers.
“For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.
“Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling.”
What the new 100ml liquids will mean for Brits
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained how the new scanners will change the way Brits travel through UK airports.
She said: “The new generation of CT scanners will be a huge boost to passengers flying out of UK airports.
“Laptops and other electronic devices can stay in your luggage and there’s no need to stick to the current 100ml liquid restriction that has been in place for the last 18 years.
“Eventually, you’ll be able to take up to two litres of liquids without having to remove them from your hand luggage.
“But the scanners are a huge logistical nightmare for airports who have to install the new machines while still processing large numbers of passengers via the old ones.
“It’s worth bearing in mind that not all airports across the globe have the equipment.
“You may well be able to fly out with liquids over 100ml – but if the airport you fly home from doesn’t have them yet you could find yourself coming a cropper.
“While we transition over the next couple of years you’ll need to make sure you’re aware of the arrangements in any airport you fly through.”
They added the roll back in rules was not a response to any specific threat.
This has contributed to huge queues at Birmingham Airport in recent weeks, which has seen security lines stretching outside the terminal.
The airport was forced to introduce additional “liquid check stations” before security after as much as a a tonne of liquids were seized in under four hours for breaking the liquid rules.
London Gatwick Airport, London Stansted, London Heathrow and Manchester Airport aren’t expected to scrap the liquid rules until 2025.
And Brits have been warned to check the liquid rules abroad too, with many airports overseas still enforcing the 100ml liquid limit.
Travel trade association ABTA warned anyone heading abroad during that time to stick to the current 100ml rules just in case.
Luke Petherbridge, ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs, said: “To help everyone enjoy a stress-free experience this half-term, our message is simple – you can’t go wrong if you stick to the current rules around liquids and laptops when preparing your hand luggage.