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Passengers traveling through Heathrow Airport, the United Kingdom’s largest airport, can now keep liquids in containers up to two litres inside their bags when passing through security, following the complete installation of advanced CT scanning technology. This upgrade also allows electronics such as laptops to remain in luggage, eliminating the need for clear plastic bags traditionally used for liquid containers. Heathrow claims to be the world’s biggest airport with this new system fully operational across all terminals.
However, Heathrow is not the first airport in the UK to adopt these high-tech scanners with relaxed liquid limits. Other airports, including Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, have already introduced similar equipment and increased liquid allowances to two litres in recent years. Most UK airports currently allow passengers to carry liquids in containers of up to 100ml without having to remove them from luggage or pack them in clear bags, while Bristol and Belfast have also raised their liquid limits to two litres. Some airports equipped with the new scanners are awaiting approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) to increase liquid allowances beyond the 100ml standard.
Despite the promise of streamlined security, a recent consumer report by Which? highlighted that the sensitivity of the new scanning technology has resulted in an increase in manual bag searches at certain airports. Heathrow emphasizes the efficiency of the new scanners, which produce higher-quality images of cabin bags and can handle thousands of passengers an hour while maintaining robust security standards. It is important to note that the relaxed liquid restrictions currently apply only to flights departing from Heathrow, and travelers should check liquid limits when returning to the UK via other airports.
The rollout of these advanced scanners has faced several delays and setbacks. Originally announced in 2019 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the plan to abolish the 100ml liquid restrictions was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In late 2022, a new government pledge promised installation of state-of-the-art scanning equipment by June 2024 as part of the most significant overhaul of airport security in decades. However, this deadline proved unachievable for larger airports, although smaller airports with fewer security lanes managed to meet it. In June 2024, the government required these smaller airports to reinstate the 100ml rule despite having already relaxed it, leading to frustration among airport operators. Meanwhile, the European Union reversed its liquid limits back to 100ml in July 2024, contributing to ongoing inconsistency in security regulations. Last summer, passengers were still advised by the Transport Secretary to assume the 100ml limit was in effect.
Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, highlighted that the £1 billion upgrade program will allow passengers to spend “less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey.” Among the world’s top ten busiest airports, Heathrow stands alone in eliminating the 100ml liquid rule for international flights, marking a significant departure from longstanding global security practices
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