New security scanners at Bristol - but other airports miss deadline

From 14 June, passengers will no longer have to remove these items from hand baggage following the introduction of new scanning equipment.

The £11.5 million investment means the 100ml liquids rule will no longer apply, however, for an interim period, a 330ml restriction will be in place at Bristol while regulatory approval is sought for the full two litre limit.

Bristol’s chief operating officer Graeme Gamble said: “We are delighted all customers travelling from Bristol airport will benefit from state-of-the-art technology being introduced at security.  The new equipment will reduce customer stress and inconvenience as the need for 100ml liquids to be placed in clear, plastic bags and removed from hand baggage will no longer be required.”

Bristol is one of around a third of UK airports to come close to the government’s 1 June deadline for the installation of new scanning machines which will speed security searches.

In late 2022, the government gave UK airports the deadline for the installation of new equipment. However, in April 2024, it was forced to grant extensions to the majority following equipment supply issues.

The Department for Transport has pledged “serious financial penalties” for those that did not meet further deadlines. However, powers to fine airports must be made under the Aviation Security Act, with changes to it now ruled out due to the general election.

None of the main London airports or Manchester airport have met the deadline, with Birmingham the only major one to do so. However, regulatory approval must be granted before the 100ml liquids limit can be extended to two litres at Birmingham.

Other airports that have the new equipment installed and operating are London City, Southend, Teesside, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stornoway, Benbecula, Islay, Kirkwall and Sumburgh. 

Heathrow, which must replace 146 machines, said in February it would finish the task “this summer”.

In an update, a Heathrow spokesperson told TTG: "This is a £1 billion security update which will make the passenger journey more seamless and enhance security at Heathrow. Our focus has always been on delivering this as quickly as possible while maintaining a smooth operation and we continue to work alongside the Department for Transport to provide confidence and stability for passengers.
 
"We are installing 146 security lanes across four terminals – more than all other UK airports - so it is a huge undertaking, but one that passengers will reap the benefits from. Passengers should continue to prepare for security as normal."

Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, said: 

"We continue to make good progress at all three of our airports on the introduction of new security screening equipment, as part of the UK-wide programme. This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction.
 
"We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports. Work is also underway on major construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to expand the size of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment.”
 
"We already have new scanners in place on a large number of lanes, with the full completion of the programme expected in 2025."

Gatwick said work was underway, with all the new machines on course to be installed by the first quarter of 2025.