Britain’s air passengers could face longer queues and confusion this summer after some airports began lifting the 100ml restriction on hand luggage liquids.
Those travelling from Birmingham and Edinburgh can now take up to two litres of liquid in their cabin bags after both airports changed their rules in the past week.
But all other UK airports still have the 100ml restriction – as do most in continental Europe, meaning Brits will not be able to bring larger liquids back in hand luggage.
More airports could follow Birmingham and Edinburgh’s lead over the coming months, but each hub will be able to set its own timescale and communicate the change with passengers – leading to fears of confusion and longer waits to get through security.
One airline source told The Times that the timing was ‘absurd and would inevitably cause extra queues and confusion this summer’, adding: ‘Given most people don’t know about the change and just do 100ml anyway, it’s hard to follow the logic of allowing individual airports to have different rules for the busiest period of the year.’
The 100ml rule first came in nearly two decades ago in 2006 after a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs.
All major UK airports were required by the Department for Transport (DfT) to bring in next generation security checkpoints (NGSCs) by this summer, which create a 3D image of what is inside passengers’ bags and would allow them to scrap the rule.
The new scanners – which are replacing old technology that only produced a 2D image – also end the need for laptops and tablets to be removed from hand luggage.
But the rollout has been hampered by the installation of the technology proving to be very complicated, after the proposed changes were first revealed in late 2022.
Some airports have begun lifting the 100ml restriction on hand luggage liquids (stock picture)
Passengers queue to enter airport security at London Heathrow Terminal Five in April 2022
The Government had told airports to install the scanners that would allow for liquids of up to two litres to be stored in hand luggage when passengers go through security.
A deadline of December 2022 for most major airports to deploy the new CT scanners was initially set in August 2019 by then-prime minister Boris Johnson.
But after the aviation industry suffered huge disruption due to coronavirus travel restrictions, in December 2022 the Government set a new date of June 1, 2024.
Smaller airports such as London City, London Southend, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford and Aberdeen complied on time and dropped the old liquid rules as a result of installing the technology – in the case of City Airport, as early as spring 2023.
But bigger airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester missed the deadline because of logistical challenges – largely due to supply chain delays and construction difficulties caused by the weight of the machines.
Then, in June 7 last year, the DfT unexpectedly announced that the old rule – only allowing liquids, gels and pastes under 100ml to be taken through security – would be reinstated.
The Government insisted at the time that it had suspended the plan to lift the restriction to two litres as a ‘temporary measure’.
Yesterday, The Times reported that the DfT told airports in May this year that the blanket restriction would be lifted and that each airport could ease the rules once the scanners had been installed and approved.
Birmingham announced last Wednesday that it was lifting the 100ml rule, while Edinburgh said the same yesterday.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, told MailOnline: ‘Removing the 100ml liquid rules for passengers is a positive step forward for air travel however having individual airports set their own timelines on lifting the 100ml restrictions on liquids is likely to cause confusion to travellers this summer and will result in delays.
‘The slow rollout has already led to confusion and frustration and travellers are likely to be tripped up if the rules continue to change as short notice and vary for different airports.
‘It is clear that all airports are not ready to introduce these new rules at the same time, and we would encourage all UK airports collectively to work with government to ensure there is very clear messaging around the rules, to avoid confusion and delays wherever possible.’
Birmingham Airport confirmed last Wednesday that it had lifted the 100ml liquid restriction
She advised passengers to check the rules that are in place for the airport they are departing from before travel, adding: ‘It is also important for travellers to be aware of the rules of the airport they are returning from as they may differ.’
Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, editor-at-large at The Points Guy, told MailOnline: ‘Brits travelling abroad this summer need to be aware that the new security scanners are not in place yet in every UK airport, or airports across the world.
‘Even where they are in operation, most airports still maintain the 100ml limit, so they should check ahead to avoid any issues when flying from or back to the UK.’
He advised passengers to stay informed with the developments on new security rules, as well as purchasing full size products from retailers at the other side of security.
Mr Kelvin added that passengers can bring an empty travel water bottle with them instead of one that is full of liquid, which is purchased pre-security.
He pointed out that some are even collapsible to save space, and more airports have installed water bottle filling stations next to drinking fountains to make carrying your own more convenient.
A spokesperson for AirportsUK, the trade body for Britain’s airports, told MailOnline: ‘Aviation security procedures around liquids are evolving, and this change will take place at different times at different airports.
‘While the transition takes place, we advise all passengers to continue checking security arrangements at every airport they will be travelling through.
‘We would stress this involves return airports abroad as well as those in the UK, as rules will be evolving there too.
‘Security is the number one priority at all of our airports, and the measures around liquid limits only change where it is correct to do so whilst ensuring air travel remains as safe as it is.’
Edinburgh Airport confirmed yesterday that it had become the first hub in Scotland to lift the 100ml liquid rule – and travellers will now be able to take through containers of up to two litres in their hand luggage.
The airport said it has installed eight new top-of-the-range X-ray scanners as part of a £24million investment to transform its security.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: ‘This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team – we are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone.
‘A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.
Edinburgh Airport confirmed it had become the first hub in Scotland to lift the 100ml liquid rule
‘The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology.
‘But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.’
Edinburgh Airport now has eight security lanes – an increase of two through the project – using equipment provided by Smiths Detection.
Birmingham Airport confirmed last Wednesday that it had lifted the restriction.
Its scanners were installed last summer, before the Government reimposed the 100ml liquid rule – but this has been lifted for the technology provider at the airport.
A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman told MailOnline today: ‘Birmingham Airport now allows passengers to travel with up to two litres of liquids, following a change in rules made by the Government.
‘Passengers can now carry liquid, paste and gel bottles up to two litres each in their hand luggage without the need to take them out their bags.
‘This change will enable a faster and more efficient processing of hand luggage, following the £60million 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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