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.
Read more:
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.
9. Check with your airline
Airlines have specific information on banned items for hand luggage on flights online, and dedicated guides for passengers can also be found on the websites of airports across the UK, including London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. Travellers who are unsure about rules for a specific item should contact their airline or travel operator directly for more information.