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Urgent holiday warning for Brits as six UK airports bring back strict hand luggage rule – here’s what you need to know
Passengers may have to wait until June 2025 for the restrictions to be lifted
BRITS heading off on holiday have been warned after six UK airports brought back strict hand luggage rules.
Restrictions on carrying more than 100ml of liquids in hand luggage have been temporarily re-introduced at the regional airports.
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The change came into effect from midnight June 9 and is in place at Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports.
All six affected have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in full operation and had ditched the 100ml liquid rules having brought in the high-tech CT scanners.
The Department for Transport said bringing back the restrictions would "enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems" and was not a response to any specific threat.
Bristol Airport had been due to scrap the 100ml limit on liquids being allowed in someone’s carry-on baggage from June 14.
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That will now be delayed.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: "There remains a 100ml max rule for each liquid taken in hand luggage.”
Most airports in the UK, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have the restrictions in place as their new scanners have not yet been installed.
The six regional airports warned passengers to pack liquids into hold luggage wherever possible to avoid delays going through security.
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Any liquid, which includes aerosols and gels, put in hand luggage, should not exceed 100ml.
A Newcastle International Airport spokesperson said the airport was working to “keep disruption to a minimum”.
What you need to know about the new airport 100ml liquid rule
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has advised passengers to check airport websites for any specific rules before they head off.
Mr Harper told BBC Breakfast: “For most passengers actually the rules haven't changed at all yet, and won’t therefore change tonight.”
He said the restrictions had been reintroduced to allow “changes” to be made to the scanning equipment.
He added: “It's a temporary measure and we’ll set out when that can be reversed in due course.”
The Government had originally told all UK airports to upgrade the new scannes by 2022, but the deadline was later pushed back to June 1, 2024.
Major airports were then allowed to miss that roll-out date.
The new airport scanners explained
The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained how the new scanners will change the way Brits travel through UK airports.
She said: "The new generation of CT scanners will be a huge boost to passengers flying out of UK airports.
"Laptops and other electronic devices can stay in your luggage and there’s no need to stick to the current 100ml liquid restriction that has been in place for the last 18 years.
"Eventually, you’ll be able to take up to two litres of liquids without having to remove them from your hand luggage.
"But the scanners are a huge logistical nightmare for airports who have to install the new machines while still processing large numbers of passengers via the old ones.
"Birmingham will be the first major UK airport to switch to the new scanners on June 1 - giving travellers a quicker, less complicated security experience. Teesside and London City airports are already using the new system.
"But it’s worth bearing in mind that not all airports across the globe have the equipment.
"You may well be able to fly out with liquids over 100ml - but if the airport you fly home from doesn’t have them yet you could find yourself coming a cropper.
"While we transition over the next couple of years you’ll need to make sure you’re aware of the arrangements in any airport you fly through."
The new scanners are bigger and heavier than older models, which meant some airports need to undertake physical changes to their security areas, and in some cases, needed to reinforce the floors.
All six of the smaller airports had met the deadline and ditched the 100ml rule.
Teesside Airport said it was “proud” to have been the first UK airport to drop the 100ml limit, having made a significant investment in the new technology.
A spokesman said it meant passengers had a smoother journey, but added: "We recognise and respect the announcement made by the Department for Transport and will fully comply with all requirements.
"We hope this nationwide issue is resolved as quickly as possible.”
The '100ml' hand Luggage rule 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.
Birmingham Airport had already upgraded to the new equipment, but has had to retain the 100ml rule.
However, passengers are not required to remove liquids up to 100ml from hand luggage when going through security.
It puts this down to “an outstanding regulatory approval on its new screening machines".
Airports that missed the installation deadline were able to apply individually for an extension, meaning passengers may have to wait until June 2025 for the restrictions to be lifted.
The DfT previously said that the Civil Aviation Authority would impose financial penalties on airports that kept missing deadlines.
Consumer champions Which? warned in January that extending the restrictions could cause confusion during the summer holidays.
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The limit of 100ml in a clear plastic bag were introduced in 2006 in the wake of a bomb plot to blow up a transatlantic flight was foiled.
CT X-ray technology is used in the new scanners to provide 3D images, so items can be left inside bags and liquids up to two litres will be allowed.
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