UPDATE: The Department for Transport has U-turned on this at multiple airports as of 00:01 BST on Sunday 9 June 2024 at Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports, due to worries of reliability.
Multiple airports in the UK have finally axed the 100ml liquid restrictions, and more will follow by June 2025.
This means you won’t need to put liquids in a clear bag and they won’t need to be 100ml bottles at these airports.
The liquids rule was put in place in 2006 when Al-Qaeda plotted to bring down at least seven transatlantic flights using explosives in drinks bottles, which the Metropolitan Police managed to stop.
This rule stood for over two decades, and is still here which is quite a surprise after all this time.
June 2022 was supposed to be when we we’re going to get rid of liquid rules, but that got pushed back to 2024, and again most airports haven’t put them in place after the June 1st 2024 deadline. Also some airports did not want to spend that much money (read on for more on that).
These new security scanners don’t require people to remove liquids and laptops, which saves a lot of time and work. It speeds up security massively and makes such a better experience at the airport.
They are expensive machines, but the cost is more than worth it as it not only speeds up security, but it also means less delays planes that are due to waiting for people stuck in security (which sadly happens).
Another great thing about these machines that most don’t think about, is that they help with accessibility too!
Having to get liquids and electronics out while in a wheelchair or holding a walking stick, is a horrific experience as I know many disabled will confirm. This helps a lot with that!
I wish more airports would see the accessibility side of these machines too, but sadly disabled people are rarely a thought.
I have used trial scanners in multiple airports and they are so much better and quicker than current security rules.
They have been installed in a few airports in the UK, but sadly many won’t have them for another year which is a shame, especially he they have passed two deadlines already.
Airports with new scanners:
- Aberdeen
- London City
- Newcastle
- Teesside
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Liverpool
- London Luton
Airports With Scanners Due By June 2025
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Southampton
Exclusive!
I also have an exclusive! I have a source who works with the CEO at Manchester Airport, who told me that the CEO of Manchester Airport could have installed them, but they chose to not install the machines, purely due to cost. Even though it speeds up security and has so many benefits and helps with accessibility, they chose not to, due to cost.
They hope to have them by June 2025, which is when all other airports hope to have them by too. Sadly another year away. Let’s hope that deadline doesn’t get pushed back yet again!