ABTA urges travellers to strictly follow current hand luggage rules

Friday, April 12, 2024

Travellers on vacation and business are urged by ABTA, the Travel Association, to get ready for their next trip by adhering to the current regulations regarding hand luggage and airport security.

The advice comes after the Government extended the deadline for some airports to implement the next-generation scanners – which would end the 100ml liquid rule for hand luggage and allow electronic devices to remain in luggage when going through the security process. The original deadline was 1 June 2024, but many UK airports said they would not be fully ready by then.

Given the lack of consistency across UK airports, ABTA says preparing for your travels with the existing rules in mind would avoid any inconvenience and unnecessary delays when going through security, as customers would be ready for both eventualities; whether the old or new rules are in place.

It also says travellers could plan ahead by checking in advance the rules for the airport terminal they are flying from – and keep a close eye out for instructions at the airport.

Travellers should also check the rules for their return airport. Even if a UK airport does have the new scanners in full operation, the traveller’s destination airport might not, meaning they will be subject to the 100ml liquid rules when taking their return flight.

To help travellers prepare for their trips, ABTA has launched a new advice page on airport security and the new scanners – www.abta.com/airportsecurity.

Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs at ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“What travellers need now, as we head towards the peak months for overseas travel, is clarity about what to do when going through airport security.

“When fully implemented, the new airport scanners will make things faster and strengthen security. However, the recent extensions from the Government show that there is still some way to go before the new security rules are consistently in place across UK airports.

“With that in mind, our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind. That way, you’ll be ready to comply with whatever the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination. You can also check with your airport in advance – and we’d also recommend checking with your return airport too.”

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