Passengers may no longer be subject to an 100ml limit on liquids in their hand luggage when passing through UK airports in two years’ time.
The Times has reported that major UK airports have been told to replace 2D screening technology with more advanced CT security scanners by the summer of 2024.
According to the newspaper, ministers have been carrying out a review and an announcement is expected before Christmas.
The new scanners generate a high-resolution 3D scan of passengers’ bags, enabling operators to inspect a bag from every angle. It is also expected that laptops will no longer need to be removed from cabin baggage.
The newspaper quoted John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow:
“We have just started the expansion of the security area in Terminal 3 which will have more CT scanners and have a deadline of mid-2024 from the DfT [Department for Transport]. By then the normal passenger experience will be that liquids stay in bags.”
The 3D baggage screening equipment is currently being trialled at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, while both Amsterdam Schiphol and Shannon airport in Ireland have rolled out CT scanners to enhance the passenger journey.
The policy is designed to reduce queuing at airports and enable a more seamless travel experience. Earlier this year Heathrow blamed liquids in hand luggage for additional queues at security, while Gatwick revealed that 10,000 hand luggage items are rejected daily by security scanners.
Gatwick reveals 10,000 hand luggage items are rejected daily by security scanners
The 100ml restriction was introduced in 2006 following a foiled transatlantic terror attack.
