Airports in the UK are planning to scrap their ban on liquids over 100ml in hand luggage by 2024. According to new travel rules, passengers will no longer need to remove laptops from their bags when going through security and will be able to board with liquids over 100ml.
Major airports across the country will be fitted with more advanced security scanners, which will allow for the policy change in the next two years. At present, passengers who fail to remove items from their hand luggage or attempt to travel with liquids over 100ml are considered to be the biggest cause of delays at airport security.
The rule change has been called "a game-changer" by insiders, as it is expected to considerably speed up the security process. New 3D baggage screening equipment is currently being tested at Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham, the Mirror reports.
Luggage will pass through special CT scanners to allow inspectors to see the contents of bags from a 3D image, instead of the old 2D images. The technology also means that travellers will no longer need to put liquids in a clear, plastic bag.
Following a review of equipment's trial run, a formal announcement on the rule changes by ministers is expected in the coming weeks. John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow, told The Times : "We are slowly rolling them out.
"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."
Restrictions on hand luggage liquid allowance were first introduced back in August 2006, after British police thwarted a terrorist plot to blow up as many as ten US-bound passenger aircrafts using liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks. In the wake of attempted bombing, nearly all cabin baggage was banned on flights with the exception of passports and wallets.
Later in the month, rules were relaxed, however a total ban on liquids remained in place before the 100ml rule was introduced. Sixteen years later, the restriction - which allows only 100ml of liquids, gels, and aerosols to be carried inside a clear plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm by 20cm - is set to be ditched.
However, other restrictions such as a ban on sharp objects will remain in place.
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