Delayed end to liquid rule risks ‘significant’ disruption, trade warned
Harry KembleTrade bodies have warned of potentially “significant delays” and “further inconvenience” to Brits travelling aboard after the government admitted not every major UK airport would meet its 1 June deadline to upgrade security equipment.
The Department for Transport (DfT) estimates only half of all passengers will be processed by the new scanners that will allow travellers to carry more liquids in their bags by June.
The new scanners detect prohibited items with greater accuracy, meaning passengers no longer need to take items out of their hand luggage.
Several airports – including Teesside and London City – have already rolled out the new equipment, but others such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester have admitted they are unlikely to meet the deadline, according to the BBC.
Luton and Birmingham airports have both suggested that they were likely to meet the 1 June deadline.
The differing security set-ups at each UK airport mean that passengers must check what rules are in place before travelling or potentially cause lengthy queues at security or experience them.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, The Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive, said: “With travellers now facing different rules depending on their departure airport this could potentially result in significant delays at security unless they receive the necessary guidance beforehand.”
She urged Brits to check the current rules at each airport before travelling “to avoid any disruption”, adding that travellers should “keep to the current 100ml rules” to ensure they wouldn’t be impacted.
“It is important that UK airports collectively work with the government to ensure there is very clear messaging around the rules so both leisure and business travellers have complete clarity as to what is required,” Lo Bue-Said added.
“We expect the removal of the 100ml liquid restrictions will increase the speed and efficiency of security checks while improving the overall airport experience for travellers.”
She advised passengers to speak to their travel agent to get “the most relevant and up-to-date travel advice”.
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, called the delay “a further inconvenience” for business travellers.
But he added: “The extension will allow our airports crucial time for a hopefully smooth and successful nationwide rollout of the new security technology and processes, which we will support at every stage.”
Wratten said the new scanners would be “a huge boost for business travellers, saving time and reducing pre-flight stress by offering a standardised, streamlined and reliable experience across all UK airports”.
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