Airports May Soon Allow More Liquid Carry-Ons

The 100ml rule for carrying liquids in hand luggage was set to be scrapped for UK airports by 2024. However, the implementation of new 3D scanners at airports has been delayed, leading to confusion among travellers. While some smaller airports in the UK, such as London City and Teesside, have implemented the new scanners and relaxed the liquid restrictions, major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester have faced challenges in installing the new equipment. This has resulted in a temporary reinstatement of the 100ml rule, causing disappointment for travellers who had hoped for an end to the era of tiny toiletries. The new scanners are expected to eventually allow travellers to carry up to 2 litres of liquids in their carry-on luggage, reducing airport queues and providing a more streamlined security experience.

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 after an attempted terrorist attack

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 after British police foiled a terrorist plot

New 3D scanners enable security to better see inside bags

New 3D scanners are being introduced at airports to replace the old 2D scanners. These scanners have the ability to offer more detailed images that can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing security to better see inside bags. This technology is called computed tomography (CT) and it is already used in the medical field. CT scanners provide high-resolution 3D images that enable operators to make a more accurate assessment of a bag's contents.

With the new scanners, operators can zoom in and out and rotate scanned images to inspect a bag's contents, which is often described as 'digitally unpacking the bag'. If a physical inspection is required, items of concern are marked on the 3D images, allowing operators to quickly examine the exact areas where threats are located. This results in a more effective flow of passengers through security and reduced costs for security operations.

The new scanners also reduce the burden on operators, making their work more efficient and improving the overall security outcome. Additionally, the need to remove electronics, liquids, and gels from bags is eliminated, which has a positive impact on throughput and speed. Airports that have implemented the new scanners have reported significantly reduced queue times and an improved passenger experience.

The UK government set a deadline of June 2024 for airports to install the new scanners and train their staff on the equipment. While some airports met this deadline, others were unable to get the scanners installed in time. Due to technical issues, the 100ml liquid rule was reinstated at some airports, but it is expected that the new scanners will eventually lead to the relaxation of liquid restrictions.

The 100ml rule will be scrapped at some airports by 2024

The 100ml rule, which restricts travellers from carrying liquids in containers larger than 100ml, is set to be scrapped at some airports by 2024. This rule was introduced in 2006 as an anti-terrorism measure after British police foiled an attempted terrorist attack involving liquid explosives.

The change is being implemented due to the introduction of new 3D scanners, which can produce detailed 3D images of bags and accurately detect liquids and potential threats. This technology will enhance security and reduce the time spent at airport security, as travellers will no longer need to remove liquids and electronics from their bags.

While the new scanners are expected to improve the airport experience, the transition has faced some challenges. Initially, the UK planned to relax the 100ml rule by June 2024, but many airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted, were unable to meet the deadline due to construction, supply chain issues, and the need for staff training. As a result, the deadline was extended, and it is now expected that the four largest UK airports will not be ready until 2025.

In the meantime, some smaller UK airports, such as London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, and Southend, have already implemented the new scanners and scrapped the 100ml rule. However, due to technical issues with the new scanners, the 100ml rule was temporarily reinstated during the summer of 2024 at some airports.

Despite these setbacks, the trend towards scrapping the 100ml rule continues. By 2024, several more European airports are expected to adopt the new scanners, including Madrid Barajas, Barcelona El-Prat, and Palma de Mallorca. The benefits of this change include reduced queue times, enhanced security, and greater convenience for travellers who will no longer need to purchase miniature toiletries or transfer liquids into smaller containers.

The new scanners will reduce lines and wait times at busy airports

The new 3D scanners will significantly reduce lines and wait times at busy airports. The technology produces high-resolution 3D scans of passengers' bags, allowing operators to inspect them from every angle. This means liquids can be checked accurately from within the baggage, and large electronics like laptops can remain inside.

The scanners will also reduce the need for manual baggage checks, which are the biggest cause of delays at airport security. For example, at London City Airport, the average time taken to get through a security check has gone down from seven minutes in 2022 to three minutes and 45 seconds.

The new scanners will also have environmental benefits, as they will eliminate the need for plastic bags to store liquids.

The 100ml rule was reinstated in 2024 due to a technical issue

The 100ml rule was reinstated in 2024, dashing the hopes of many travellers who had long been forced to buy overpriced miniature toiletries or decant their favourite products into smaller bottles. The rule, which was first introduced in 2006, restricted liquids, aerosols, and gels to 100ml containers and had to be stored in a transparent plastic bag.

The return of the 100ml rule was due to a technical issue with the new security scanners. Airports across the EU and the UK had begun installing new 3D CT scanners, which were supposed to enable travellers to carry up to 2 litres of liquids in their carry-on luggage without needing to be removed from their bags or stored in clear plastic bags.

However, the new scanners were not without issues. Reports suggested that the scanners were not accurate for some liquid containers, causing long security delays as staff had to manually check each flagged item. This issue particularly affected larger airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, which had to be given more time to get the new equipment in place.

As a result, the 100ml rule was reinstated in June 2024, and it remains unclear when the new scanners will be fully operational. Travellers are advised to check the latest liquid rules with their departure and return airports before travelling to avoid any problems.

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