BOTTLE IT
Thousands of passengers are being stopped at security at major UK airport due to confusion over hand luggage rules
Watch as the Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains the 100ml liquid rule coming into force
THOUSANDS of Brits heading on holiday this year face being stopped at security every day, according to a major UK airport.
New CT scanners are being installed at airports across the country, which will let passengers skip the 100ml liquid rules.
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However, while some airports have already rolled this out, a number are yet to do so - leading to confusion.
Birmingham Airport has warned that as many as 15 per cent of passengers are having their carry-on bags rejected at security because they think the 100ml liquid rule has already been ditched.
According to the , 772,000 passengers passed through the airport in February, 2024, which means around 3,860 daily passengers are confused over liquid rules.
Having carry-on bags rejected can cause queues and delays at security.
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A spokesperson from Birmingham Airport told said: "We wish to remind our customers that existing security restrictions remain in place.
"This can be confusing to our customers and on average 15 per cent of bags are rejected as they are not compliant with current security restrictions.
"For each customer, a non-compliant bag adds 10 minutes on top of their security search time."
Passengers are being encouraged to check the liquid rules at both their departure and return airports - especially because the rules could be different.
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The Sun Travel Q&A with Lisa Minot
The new CT scanners will increase the liquid allowance to two litres, and laptops and electronic items won't need to be removed from hand luggage either, which will speed up the whole security process..
Last year, the Department of Transport implemented a deadline of June 2024 for airports to have the new scanners in place.
The new scanners are already operational at Teesside Airport, London City Airport and Aberdeen Airport.
Other airports like Liverpool, Bristol and Birmingham are all expected to hit the deadline - although the new scanners aren't currently in operation at these airports.
Meanwhile, airports like London Heathrow and London Gatwick are expected to miss the June deadline, with both airports being granted extensions by the government.
Until the new CT scanners are fully operational at UK airports like Birmingham, holidaymakers should adhere to the 100ml liquid rule that is currently in place.
Passengers should continue to pack liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100ml or smaller, and make sure they're packed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
Electronic items including laptops and tablets should also be removed from bags at airport security, unless stated otherwise.
Taking too much liquid is one big mistake that people make at airports, but there are plenty of others.
Belts and shoes
Wearing complicated clothes, including belts and shoes, always slows people down.
They dress forgetting that those items need to be removed and scanned, which not only holds them up, but everyone else behind them.
People are advised to dress with airport security in mind to speed things up.
Using airport screens
Relying on screens for information in the airport is not advised, according to flight attendants.
It turns out that the screens are updated later than other places and checking online is a much more reliable way to get details about your flight.
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Hand Luggage rules at UK airports explained
Going through airport security can be a stressful experience, so it's important to be aware of strict hand luggage rules before you travel. Most UK airports will be implementing the following rules:
- All liquid items packed in a passenger's hand luggage must be less than 100ml
- Liquids include items like gels, aerosols, moisturisers, sunscreen and makeup products
- All liquid items must fit into a 20cm x 20cm sealed plastic bag, before they go through the scanner at airport security
- Electronic items like laptops and tablets must be removed from bags and placed in a separate tray.
New CT scanners have already been installed at Teesside Airport, London City Airport and Aberdeen Airport, which means holidaymakers will be able to pack two litres of liquid in their hand luggage.
Meanwhile, a popular UK high street chain has started selling this popular hand luggage bag that fits Ryanair cabins.
And these are the rules around bringing food through airport security.
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