What can’t I take in hand luggage? All items banned from carry-on bags as airport rules on liquids to change
Holidaymakers must abide by strict hand luggage rules as many items are not allowed, including razors, some toiletries and liquids
Holidaymakers will soon see airport security rules on liquids and laptops eased under new plans from the government.
Major airports across the UK have been set a deadline of June 2024 to install new airport security that will make the rules on carrying no more than 100ml of liquid in containers and removing large electronics from hand luggage obsolete.
It means that passengers at most airports across the country will be able to carry liquids in containers holding up to two litres in what will be the biggest relaxation of aviation security regulations in decades.
The impending rule changes also means that liquids will no longer have to be carried in clear plastic bags, while laptops and tablets won’t have to be removed from bags at security checkpoints. The Department for Transport (DfT) said new technology will instead provide security staff more detailed images of what is inside passengers’ bags.
The current airport security rules were introduced in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with home-made liquid bombs.
The rules on liquids and laptops are still in force for now and holidaymakers should also be mindful of other strict rules around hand luggage on airlines to avoid being caught out in airport security.
There are many items travellers are not allowed to take in their carry-on luggage on flights and those found to be in breach of the rules face having such items confiscated. Travellers must ensure their hand luggage meets the correct size requirements, in line with the rules of the airline carrier, and cannot take any of the following on board.
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It means that passengers at most airports across the country will be able to carry liquids in containers holding up to two litres in what will be the biggest relaxation of aviation security regulations in decades.
5. Sports equipment
Various items of sport equipment cannot be taken on board flights as carry-on. This includes baseball, softball and cricket bats, golf clubs, darts, walking/hiking poles, a catapult, firearms (including replica firearms), harpoons or spear guns, crossbows, or martial arts equipment.
6. Work tools
Several work tools must not be packed in hand luggage. Banned items include tools with a blade or shaft longer than 6cm, drills and drill bits, a stanley knife, saws, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrenches or spanners, bolt or nail guns, crowbars and blowtorches.
7. Chemicals and toxic substances
Chemical and toxic substances are banned from taking on flights as hand luggage or in the hold. Items include oxidisers and organic peroxides, acids and alkalis, corrosives or bleaching agents, vehicle batteries and fuel systems, self defence sprays, radioactive materials, poisons, biological hazards, materials that could spontaneously combust, and fire extinguishers.
8. Ammunition
You cannot take any guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) as hand luggage. You may be able to take them as hold luggage, but you should check with your airline before you travel. Banned items in hand luggage include grenades, fireworks, smoke canisters, smoke cartridges, flares, plastic explosives and gun cigarette lighters.