UK airport scraps 100ml liquid rule before Easter holidays in major boost
A SMALL UK airport has become the first in the country to scrap the 100ml liquid rule.
A number of larger airports have committed to dropping the regulations in time for the Easter holidays, making it easier to pass through the security gates.
However, Teesside airport has beaten them to the punch by announcing that they have new state-of-the-art scanners in place.
The scanners mean that passengers will no longer have to take liquids out of their bags, and will be permitted to carry up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage.
Laptops and electronic devices are also permitted to stay in hand luggage during the screening process, making passing through security much less stressful.
The Department for Transport has told airports in the UK that they need to have the new technology in place by June 2024.
Teesside has met those requirements well in advance and is the first airport in the country to have done so.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Once again Teesside is at the forefront of developments in the aviation industry, with our C3 scanners in place and already being used in the roll-out of the new rules, coming into force elsewhere next year.
“Some airports have announced they’re looking to end the restriction in time for the Easter holidays, but we’re one step ahead in having already scrapped the limit – showing how local, regional airports are going further, faster for the people that they serve.
“Passenger safety and experience is front-and-centre of all we do at Teesside Airport, and these scanners play a massive part in both.
“We’re getting lots of positive feedback from our passengers right now and, as our slate of summer holiday flights begins to ramp up at the end of this month, these scanners will be invaluable to quickly process the hundreds of thousands of people we’re set to welcome through our doors.”
London City airport is one of the places that has committed to making the change for their passengers before the upcoming break.
The hope is families travelling during the Easter break in April will have reduced waiting times, while it will also benefit summer travel too.
Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport said he hoped passengers will love the new security experience.
He told The Times: “The good news for anyone planning a holiday or a business trip is that we will be the first mainstream UK airport to offer a fully CT security experience from the end of this month.
“The new lanes will not only cut hassle but also queuing times, which I know passengers will love.”
Trials of the scanners started in 2019 at Heathrow airport, while they are also taking place at Gatwick.
John Holland-Kay, boss of Heathrow, told The Times: “We have just started the expansion of the security area in Terminal 3 which will have more CT scanners and have a deadline of mid-2024 from the DFT.
“By then the normal passenger experience will be that liquids stay in bags”.
Meanwhile, Luton Airport is hoping to also scrap the rules well before the 2024 deadline.
Until then, this is how much liquid you can take on board a plane.