It was announced this week that Edinburgh and Birmingham airports have installed new scanners that allow bottles of up to two litres to be taken on board planes
Holidaymakers have been urged to plan ahead and do their research before travelling abroad to avoid being caught out by hand luggage rules.
The Transport Secretary has told air passengers to assume the 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage remains in place, after two airports changed their policies.
It was announced this week that Edinburgh and Birmingham airports have installed new scanners that allow bottles of up to two litres to be taken on board planes. However, other airports around the UK are at different stages of putting the technology in place, meaning the old rules still apply.
Heidi Alexander said: “You should work on the basis that it is 100ml at the moment unless you have heard from your airport otherwise.”
Mirror Travel has contacted the UK’s major airports to ask whether they have the new scanners in place and to get their latest advice for passengers.
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Gatwick
For the moment, passengers should come prepared for security at London Gatwick as normal and not bring liquids in containers of more than 100ml, the airport’s spokesperson said.
Heathrow
The vast majority of passengers are already using the new security lanes at the UK’s biggest airport, which is working with the DfT to complete the rollout.
However, as the rollout is not complete, passengers have been urged to prepare for security as normal, with liquids in containers up to 100ml.
Birmingham
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “Birmingham Airport now allows passengers to travel with up to 2 litres of liquids, following a change in rules made by the Government. Passengers can now carry liquid, paste and gel bottles up to 2L each in their hand luggage, without the need to take them out of their bags.
“This change will enable faster and more efficient processing of hand luggage, following the £60m investment in equipment and infrastructure made last year. We are pleased passengers can now benefit from this change in ruling, made by the Government in time for the summer peak.”
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Bristol
“The limit at Bristol Airport is still 100ml and will be until the DfT advises us otherwise,” a spokesperson told the Mirror.
Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands
The Manchester Airport Group, which runs Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, has the new scanners up and running.
A MAG spokesperson said: “New security technology is already in use across all three of MAG’s airports, and the majority of passengers are screened with the new equipment.
“In accordance with Department for Transport guidance, passengers should continue to arrive at the airport prepared and travel with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in their hand baggage, unless advised otherwise.”
Liverpool John Lennon
“Here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, passengers have been able to leave all liquids and large electrical items such as laptops and tablets in their hand luggage for a few months now, following the installation of the new security screening equipment. However, the 100ml liquid size limit currently remains,” the airport’s spokesperson said.
“We will move to higher liquid quantities when approved to do so, at which time we’ll communicate this to passengers.”
Edinburgh
“This week we announced that passengers can now keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each,” the airport’s spokesperson said.
