The Department for Transport has confirmed moves to finally end restrictions limiting passengers to just 100ml of liquids in their hand luggage when travelling through UK airports.
The rule was introduced in August 2006, when a plot to blow up aircraft on transatlantic flights was discovered, and has been in place ever since.
But advances in security screening technology have raised the possibility of the restrictions being lifted, and last month The Times reported that this would happen by 2024.
The DfT has now confirmed the news, stating that the 100ml restriction will be replaced with a new two litre limit.
The UK government has set a deadline of June 2024 for major airports to replace existing 2D screening technology with more advanced CT security scanners, which will both remove the need for passengers to remove liquids and large electrical items from their hand luggage, as well as enabling the lifting of the 100ml limit.
The official line is that the rules around taking liquids and large electrical items through airport security are set to change “by 2024”.
The DfT stressed that changes will be gradual over the next two years, adding that “passengers must follow the same rules as now until further notice or unless told otherwise”.
The department also said that travellers “should also check the rules for carrying liquids at any airport through which they may transfer during their journey and at their return airport, as many destinations may not have implemented this new technology”.
The 2024 deadline follows trials conducted at airports since 2018, which “have demonstrated the effectiveness of this new screening equipment – which uses CT X-ray technology to essentially provide a 3D image of what’s in passengers’ bags, as well as deploying highly advanced threat detection algorithms”.
London City airport recently announced that it would be relaxing its requirement to remove laptops and liquids from hand luggage at security from April 2023, by which point it will have retired its existing conventional security x-ray machines, replacing them with “a full CT security proposition”.
London City to relax requirement to remove laptops and liquids from hand luggage at security
Commenting on the news Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
“The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.
“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.
“Of course, this won’t happen straight away – this is going to take two years to be fully implemented. Until then, passengers must continue following the existing rules and check before travelling.”
