Airports to scrap major rules for hand luggage, here's what travellers need to know

The limit on liquids of over 100ml is going to be scrapped by the summer of 2024 as new high-tech scanners will make changes to policy on airport security . Passengers will also no longer need to remove their laptops from their hand luggageas they pass through security.

Recent reports state that the change will take place in all major airports around the UK and airport insiders have referred to it as a ‘game-changer’ when it comes to reducing airport delays, according to The Mirror.

Foiled terror plot

The rule on 100ml liquids in hand luggage was brought in back in 2006 after an attempted terrorist attack. Extreme islamic terrorists had plotted to blow up seven flights departing from Heathrow with liquid explosives that were disguised as soft drinks. If the attack had not been thwarted it would have been Al-Qaeda’s largest terror attack in the West since 9/11. The measures brought in were only meant to be temporary at the time but were since extended, as per The Times.

The new scanners are being tested at Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham Airports and ministers will then be conducting an assessment of their efficacy and making a formal announcement in the next few weeks.

3D scanning

The new equipment will have 3D scanning capabilities which give a much more detailed image of what’s inside luggage compared to the current 2D scanners.

John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow, commented, as per 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.

The changes will make a huge impact on streamlining passengers' journeys as people forgetting to take out liquids over 100ml is currently considered to be the biggest cause of delays at airport security, as per The Mirror.

Furthermore it will have a positive effect environmentally by reducing the amount of single-use plastic at airports because passengers will no longer be required to have their liquids in plastic bags.

Sources used:

- The Mirror 'Airports in UK to ditch 100ml liquids rule in hand luggage within next two years'

- The Times 'Airport scanners to end 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage'