UK airport is scrapping strict liquid rules this month in huge boost for passengers
A MAJOR UK airport has revealed that it will become the first in the country to scrap the 100ml liquids rule.
Waiting to have luggage scanned, or queueing up to pass through metal detectors is one of the easiest ways to get held up while passing through an airport.
However, new technology at London City airport will change that for passengers.
The CT scanners not only remove the need for people to take liquids out of their hand luggage, it also increases the limit from 100ml to two litres.
Additionally, laptops and electronic items won’t need to be removed from hand luggage either, speeding up the whole security process.
The airport has already been trialling the scanners during the half-term break and is now in a position to install them permanently before the end of March.
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 passengers are going to 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.”
The CT security scanners being used will need to be installed at every UK airport before the middle of 2024.
Passengers will be able to keep everything in their bags instead of being asked to remove laptops and ditch liquids over 100ml at screenings.
Luggage will then pass through the CT scanners which allows airport security to inspect bags from a 3D image, which will be a vast improvement from the 2D images currently used.
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”.
Despite the removal of the large liquids ban, other hand luggage restrictions will remain in place, including a ban on sharp objects.
It’s not just drinks that are banned either, there are also restrictions on certain food items at security.