Major UK airports to scrap liquid rule for passengers

Monday, February 26, 2024

The liquid rule has been a bugbear for British holidaymakers for years. But it looks like it could be scrapped at some major UK airports.

UK airports are getting rid of a luggage rule that has been a nuisance for passengers.

London’s Heathrow Airport is planning to put security scanners in all its terminals by this summer and others are set to follow.

This means travellers will be able to take more than 100ml of liquid on their flights- depending on where they are travelling.

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport (DfT) said: “The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world and this cutting-edge technology will enhance security and boost the passenger experience.”

These scanners are already being used in some lanes at Terminals 2, 3 and 5, and will soon be installed at Terminal 4, reports Birmingham Live.

The DfT added: “We are in regular contact with airports as they move towards June 2024 deadline for upgrading their screening equipment and processes.

“For security reasons we don’t talk in detail about aviation security measures.” MAG, which owns Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, said the scanners would be introduced “lane by lane” at its airports across the UK.

A spokesperson said it was making good progress, but it was “a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction”.

Gatwick and Manchester Airports Group said that they hope to complete the upgrade of their scanners by 2025.

London City Airport became the first big UK airport to stop the liquid rule last April, when it finished adding new scanners.

Now passengers don’t need to pack separate bags for two litres of liquids. They reckon nearly 4 million flyers will see this change there this year.

Nicky Kelvin, who runs travel advice website The Points Guy, had a tip: “Anybody traveling with hand baggage will need to check what the current trial or rule is for the place they are travelling from and to. If you are a transit passenger you will need to be even more careful.”

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