Owais Crawford
The 100ml liquid rule has been a source of frustration for travellers for many years. However, some airports have started to scrap this restriction thanks to the introduction of new 3D X-ray scanning technology. Airports with this technology include Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, Chicago's O'Hare, Amsterdam's Schiphol, Rome Fiumicino, and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Italy. In the UK, London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen, and Southend airports have also dropped the 100ml rule. However, the rule was reintroduced in mid-June 2024 at some airports that had previously scrapped it, causing confusion and frustration for travellers. It is recommended that passengers check the latest security requirements before travelling to avoid any issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports that have scrapped the 100ml rule | Teesside, London City, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen, and Southend |
| Airports that have not scrapped the 100ml rule | Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Luton, Liverpool, Glasgow Prestwick, Inverness, Isle of Man, Newquay, Southampton, Stansted |
| Reason for scrapping the 100ml rule | Installation of new high-tech CT scanners |
| Reason for reintroducing the 100ml rule | Technical issues with the new scanners, construction work, supply chain problems |
| Impact on passengers | Reduced disruption, smoother journeys, no need to remove liquids or electronics from bags |
| Deadline for installing new scanners | June 2024, extended to June 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
UK airports that scrapped the 100ml rule
The UK government announced that all major airports in the UK would need to install new scanners by 1 June 2024, which would allow passengers to carry larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. However, the deadline proved difficult to meet, particularly for larger airports, due to the high costs and installation requirements of the new scanners.
Some smaller UK airports, including Teesside, Leeds, and Newcastle, were able to meet the deadline and scrap the 100ml rule for liquids in hand luggage. These airports have introduced high-tech CT scanners, which provide 3D images of luggage contents. As a result, passengers travelling through these airports can carry up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage without needing to remove the liquids from their bags during security checks.
However, many larger airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester, missed the initial deadline and had to reintroduce the 100ml liquid rule. The government granted an extension until June 2025 for airports to install the new scanners. During this period, passengers travelling through these airports are advised to continue following the previous restrictions and pack liquids into their hold luggage to avoid delays during security checks.
It is important to note that the rules for liquids in hand luggage may vary depending on the airport and the availability of the new scanners. Passengers are advised to check the specific rules and requirements of their departure and return airports before travelling to avoid any issues.
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European airports that scrapped the 100ml rule
Several European airports have scrapped the 100ml liquid rule, thanks to new 3D scanners and enhanced X-ray technology that can identify explosives. This rule was first introduced in 2006 after a terror threat involving a liquid bomb at London Heathrow.
Amsterdam's Schiphol airport relaxed its liquid rules back in 2021, and Rome Fiumicino Airport and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport are two hubs in Italy that have rolled out the C3 scanners. London City Airport began using the C3 scanners in April 2023, and Leeds Bradford Airport announced plans in November 2023 to do the same in the new year. Ireland has trialled the new technology at Dublin and Cork airports, and Shannon Airport already has them in place.
Two Spanish airports, Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El-Prat, made the change in 2024, and Palma de Mallorca airport is expected to follow by the end of the year. Malaga Costa del Sol airport plans to implement the changes in 2025.
In the UK, six smaller airports met the deadline and removed the 100ml rule: Teesside, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham, and London City. However, as of June 2024, the rule has been reintroduced at some regional UK airports, including Bristol, due to a temporary technical issue with the new generation of scanners.
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Reasons for reintroducing the 100ml rule
The 100ml rule for liquids in hand luggage was reintroduced at some regional UK airports in June 2024. This was due to a delay in the installation of new high-tech CT scanners, which meant that the government had to extend the deadline for airports to switch to the new scanners to June 2025. The 100ml rule was put back in place as a temporary measure to allow for further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems.
The new scanners use CT X-ray technology to provide 3D images, meaning that items can be left inside bags and liquids up to two litres will be permitted. The old rules required liquids to be in containers of 100ml or less and placed in a clear plastic bag. The new scanners are very heavy, and in some instances, floors will need to be reinforced, causing construction delays.
There are only two international suppliers of the new scanners, which has caused issues with supply. Some smaller airports, such as Teesside, had already invested in the new technology and were proud to have dropped the 100ml limit, improving the passenger experience. However, they respected the decision to reintroduce the 100ml rule and complied with the new requirements.
The reintroduction of the 100ml rule caused confusion for passengers, with different rules in place at different airports and even different queues within the same airport. Transport Secretary Mark Harper advised passengers to check airport websites for specific rules before travelling.
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The new scanners
The UK government had initially set a deadline of June 2022 for all major airports in the UK to install the new scanners. However, this deadline was later extended to June 2024, and eventually to June 2025, due to various challenges faced by the airports. These challenges included high costs, installation difficulties, supply chain issues, and the need for construction work and staff training. Despite the extensions, some airports struggled to meet the deadline.
As of June 2024, only a few smaller airports in the UK, such as London City Airport, Teesside Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Aberdeen Airport, and Southend Airport, had successfully implemented the new scanners and relaxed the 100ml liquid rule. Major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester were still working on installing the new technology.
The rollout of the new scanners has caused a two-tier system in the UK, with different rules for liquids in hand luggage depending on the airport. While some airports have completely scrapped the 100ml limit, allowing passengers to carry larger containers of liquids, others have only partially relaxed the rules, and yet others are still following the old restrictions. This has led to confusion for passengers, who are advised to check the specific rules and regulations of their departure and return airports before travelling.
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The future of the 100ml rule
The 100ml rule for liquids in hand luggage has been a staple of air travel for almost 16 years. However, the future of this rule is uncertain, as new technology is being introduced that may allow the rule to be scrapped.
The 100ml rule was first introduced in 2006 and requires travellers to carry liquids, aerosols, and gels in 100ml containers through airport security, stored in a transparent plastic bag. The introduction of new, high-tech CT scanners at airports has the potential to revolutionize this rule. These scanners produce 3D images of bag contents, offering more detailed information than traditional 2D X-ray scans.
In 2024, some smaller UK airports, including Bristol, Birmingham, and Teesside, met the deadline for installing the new scanners and temporarily relaxed the 100ml rule. However, due to issues with the scanners mistakenly flagging harmless items as potential threats, causing delays, the 100ml rule was reinstated across all UK airports, even those with the new scanners. The UK government extended the deadline for installing the new scanners to June 2025.
As of April 2025, the 100ml rule remains in place across the UK, and it is unclear when the Department of Transport will lift this restriction. However, some airports with the new scanners have introduced a partial relaxation of the rule, allowing passengers to carry liquids in containers of 100ml or less in their hand luggage without removing them from their bags. These airports include Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Leeds Bradford, and Newcastle.
The slow rollout of the new scanners and the ongoing confusion around liquid restrictions at airports have caused frustration for travellers. It remains to be seen when and how the 100ml rule will be fully scrapped, but it is clear that the aviation industry is moving towards more advanced security measures that can enhance passenger experience and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 2024, some smaller UK airports have unveiled new CT scanners and relaxed the 100ml rule for liquids in hand luggage. These include London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen, and Southend.
Many larger UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, still have the 100ml rule in place as they work to install the new scanners.
No, at airports with the new scanners, you can leave liquids and electronic items in your bag. There is also no limit on the total volume of liquids you can carry.
Airports are removing the 100ml rule with the introduction of new high-tech CT X-ray scanners that provide 3D images. These scanners allow for improved security and a smoother experience for passengers.
Yes, several airports outside the UK have already implemented the new scanners and relaxed liquid rules, including Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Rome Fiumicino Airport, and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Italy, and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson and Chicago's O'Hare airports in the US.
