'Liquid rule' reintroduced at six UK airports despite security upgrades
James ChappleThe so-called airport "liquid rule" limiting liquids carried in hand luggage to 100ml has been reintroduced at the six UK airports that have completed their upgrades to new security scanners designed to bring the rule to an end.
The government in December 2022 gave airports until the start of June 2024 to install next generation scanners that would allow passengers to carry liquids in excess of 100ml and to leave them in their hand luggage, along with devices like laptops and tablets.
However, in April, the government conceded airports – including many of the UK’s biggest and busiest – had not made sufficient progress and gave them extensions, along with a threat of "serious financial penalties" if they did not stick to the new timetable.
Teesside and London City airports were among the first to get their new equipment up and running, followed by the likes of Aberdeen, Leeds-Bradford, Newcastle and Southend.
All six though, the government confirmed late on Friday (7 June), would be required to temporarily reintroduce 100ml restrictions on liquids from Sunday (9 June) despite have new security arrangements "in full operation".
"This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers," said the Department for Transport in a statement. "For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged. Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before travelling."
The DfT specified the decision was "a routine measure" and did not come in response "to a specific threat".
It comes after warnings the delays – and the increasingly patchwork landscape at airport security – risked "significant delays" and "further inconvenience" to people heading abroad this summer.
Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: "The rules around travelling with liquids in carry on bags are becoming increasingly confusing with different rules at different airports.
"As we enter the busiest travel period of the year, this announcement will only add to passengers uncertainty and may lead to further delays. Travellers should check the latest liquid rules for the airport they are departing from before travelling to avoid being caught out at security."
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James Chapple
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