UK Airports Reinstate 100ml Liquid Rule Amid Summer Travel Rush

In a surprising turn of events, the UK government has announced a sudden reversal on airport liquid restrictions just weeks before the busy summer travel season.

This new rule impacts all passengers flying from UK airports, who will now need to limit liquids, pastes, and gels in their hand luggage to just 100ml until further notice.

Previously, several airports had introduced advanced CT scanners, allowing travellers to carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage. However, the government has now mandated a return to the 100ml rule for all UK airports, meaning passengers must place their liquids in a single clear plastic bag and remove it from their hand luggage for security checks. Any liquids over 100ml must go into checked baggage.

This change primarily affects passengers travelling from London City, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, Southend, and Teesside airports, which had already adopted the new scanners. However, the sudden shift has caused confusion and delays, particularly at airports like Birmingham, where travellers have faced queues of up to two-and-a-half hours, sometimes waiting outside in the rain.

“From 00.01 on Sunday 9 June 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation. This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers. For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged.”

The Department for Transport (DfT)

The government had originally set a deadline of 1 June 2024 for all UK airports to install the new scanners. But this deadline was extended to June 2025 after larger airports such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester expressed concerns about reaching the 2024 target.

The restrictions requiring liquids to be brought through security in containers of 100ml or less in a transparent plastic bag were implemented in 2006, following the thwarted bombing plot on a transatlantic flight.

Ensuring Smooth Travel

Passengers are urged to check their hand luggage for compliance with the 100ml limit to help streamline the security process. Non-compliant bags can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger's journey through security.

This unexpected change has rolled back the advancements made by airports that had invested in new security technology, underscoring the ongoing challenge of balancing security and convenience in air travel.

As the busy summer season approaches, travellers must stay informed and prepared for these updated regulations to ensure a smoother airport experience.

Important Exemptions to the 100ml Liquid Rule

Despite the reintroduced 100ml liquid rule at UK airports, there are some important exemptions you should know about:

You can carry containers larger than 100ml through security if they:

• Are for essential medical purposes.
• Are for special dietary needs.
• Contain baby food or baby milk.

You can also bring liquids bought at the airport or on a plane (such as duty-free items) through security if:

• The items are sealed in a security bag when you buy them.
• The receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible.

You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.

Travelers are encouraged to comply with these rules to ensure smoother and faster security checks.

Do you need to renew your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

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