Plans to bring in new scanners which can speed up the process of checking bags and allow passengers to bring higher volumes of liquid in hand luggage have been pushed back
Plans that will have a major impact on all UK travellers flying out of the country have been pushed back by a year.
A scheme to scrap the 100ml limit of liquids in hand luggage when flying has been pushed back until June 2025 for some airports – 12 months later than was originally announced. The Government said it’s given more time to some big UK airports that couldn’t get new scanning tech ready by the 1 June 2024 deadline.
These new scanners make better pictures, so passengers can take up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage through airport security. At airports without these scanners, passengers can only take 100ml and it has to be in clear plastic bags.
The new scanners also mean you don’t have to take laptops and tablets out of your bag. Confusingly for passengers, some airports will be ready by June 1, while others won’t have the scanners live until summer 2025. London City Airport was the first to complete its rollout last year. The Government won’t say which airports will and which won’t be ready due to security concerns, making holiday planning difficult.
Back in August 2019 then prime minister Boris Johnson set a deadline of December 2022 for most big airports to get the new scanners. But after Covid-19 hugely brought aviation to its knees for two years, Transport Secretary Mark Harper moved the deadline to 1 June 2024. Lots of airports are finding it hard to get the scanners in before the busy summer holidays, mainly because of delays getting parts and problems building them because they’re so heavy.
Ministers have given some airports up to 12 months extra to get the work done. The Government is also exploring how financial penalties could be imposed for further non-compliance.
The Department for Transport refused to provide a breakdown of the situation for each airport, citing security concerns. It said that by the start of June about half of passengers flying from UK airports will be processed by the new scanners.
But passengers are advised to prepare to follow the existing rules, and check with their airport for any changes.
Mr Harper said: “These cutting-edge scanners will make air travel safer and easier for passengers by strengthening security even further. The UK is leading the world with its rollout of this technology, but it’s important we give those airports yet to meet the deadline a second chance to get the job done. Until they do, passengers should continue to check before travelling.”
Heathrow has previously said it expects to have new scanners in all security lanes this summer, while Gatwick expects to complete the programme by the end of March next year.
Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, said its scanners will be fully rolled out in 2025. London City become the UK’s first major airport to begin using the new scanners for all passengers in April last year.
Karen Dee, chief executive of trade body the Airport Operators Association, said: “Airports are making excellent progress in delivering these multi-million-pound investment programmes, which will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of aviation security in the years ahead.
“As with any programme of this complexity, there are significant challenges, and we are happy the Government has recognised these and agreed to extend timeframes for delivery where necessary. By adopting this approach, airports can ensure that they are ready to welcome passengers over the upcoming holiday periods and that their journeys are safe, secure and smooth as we make this transition.”
Airport security restrictions for liquids were introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with homemade liquid bombs. Travellers failing to adhere to them is one of the biggest causes of delays at airport security checks.
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