One major UK airport that already has state of the art security scanners installed – putting an end to 100ml liquid limits – has issued fresh advice to everyone journeying through the international travel hub.
The speed at which we all get through airport security queues is set to dramatically change for the better as a result of fresh government laws making every UK airport install hi-tech scanners.
It’ll mean an end to the 100ml liquid limits placed on hand luggage baggage going through airport security scanners. We’ll also be saying goodbye to the 20cm by 20cm clear, plastic bags that we have to cram all our 100ml containers in to.
The government’s official deadline to bring in these new scanners – akin to what hospitals use to create 3D images of a person – has been pushed back to next summer after delays brought on by years of disruption influenced by the Covid pandemic.
But four airports across the United Kingdom have already brought in the tech, with through Teesside, Birmingham, London City and Newcastle airports getting things ready for this summer’s busy travel season.
Say goodbye to 100ml liquid limits (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
At these airports, you can now bring two litres through airport security and it can be scattered throughout your hand luggage, with no need to take it out of the bag. You can also leave your laptops, tablets and iPads in your bag, too, with an emphasis now on mirroring speed with security.
But one of the four airports with the scanners is telling all its passengers to hold their horses when it comes to dumping their liquids in their bag willy-nilly.
Things aren’t quite up to speed at Birmingham Airport.
Despite having the scanners in place, it is has issued a warning over the old 100ml limits.
Birmingham Airport (David Goddard/Getty Images)
“Whilst the change in regulation is to allow liquids up to two litres, due to a restriction by the regulator only liquids up to 100ml can currently be carried albeit it can stay in hand luggage and no longer needed to be in plastic bags,” the airport website reads.
A delay in final regulatory approval has meant the old rules remain, for now.
At this stage, no timeline has been revealed on when that might change.
Birmingham has said goodbye to the plastic bag rules, though, so there is some benefit that can be felt already.
Standard practice for most at the moment – but not for long (Getty Stock Images)
The Terminal Operations Director of Birmingham Airport told Travel Gossip: “Whilst the airport is ready with its new security technology, we are awaiting the final approval of the two liquid liquid allowance.
“In the meantime, any customers travelling through the airport can take liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml loose, and no longer in plastic bags, in their hand luggage.
“Additionally, electricals can stay in their bags and do not need to be removed at the security search area.”
Manchester Airport Holdings (MAG), which runs Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports, told LADbible this week that it will have ‘a large number’ of the new scanners in place by the end of June 2024. The system will be fully operational next year.
Featured Image Credit: David Goddard/Getty Images/Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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