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Travelers may experience uncertainty when traveling this summer as the busiest airports in the UK have acknowledged that they will not meet the deadline for implementing new security scanners, which would eliminate the requirement for a 100ml restriction on liquids.
In December 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) established a goal to be achieved by June 2024. Mark Harper, the transport secretary at the time, promised to eliminate the requirement for the “small toiletry” that had become a common item in airport security checkpoints.
According to BBC News, the airports in London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester are expected to miss the deadline.
This indicates that although new scanners will be implemented, certain lanes will continue to use the current scanners, resulting in the continued enforcement of the 100ml limit for carry-on liquids. This could potentially cause confusion and inconvenience for travelers due to the inconsistency, as stated by a consumer group.
Can you explain the regulations for carrying liquids in airports according to Simon Calder?
Unfortunately, there is a possibility that certain airports will not meet the government’s deadline to implement new CT security scanners by June. According to Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, this news is disappointing. These scanners have the potential to significantly reduce wait times at security checkpoints during the busy summer travel period by allowing passengers to leave items like laptops and liquids in their bags.
“Passengers must ensure they check the specific rules and procedures at their designated airport before traveling, as they may differ from others. This inconsistency may cause confusion and potential delays for many travelers.”
According to aviation expert Sally Gethin, the weight and cost of the scanners could be causing the delays.
According to an interview with BBC News, she mentioned that the floors in the terminal may need to be strengthened and the cost is high due to the use of advanced technology.
Heathrow has 146 security lanes, more than all the other UK airports combined, meaning the installation is a complex operation – especially when taking steps to avoid disruptions to current passengers making their way through security.
Heathrow Airport’s T2, T3, and T5 terminals have recently installed new scanners, and T4 is expected to follow suit by summer. The Independent reached out for a comment from the UK’s biggest airport, but they declined to provide one.
A representative from London Gatwick airport has announced that they will have completed the installation of advanced security scanners by June 2024 in both terminals. They also plan to finish installing the remaining scanners in the first quarter of 2025, after the busy summer season.
According to a statement from MAG, the company responsible for managing Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands airports, new scanners will be implemented on a majority of their security lanes by June 2024. The entire program is projected to be finished by 2025.
A spokesperson stated that this is a challenging project that involves enlarging terminal facilities and ensuring operations continue during construction.
“We are progressively implementing the latest technology in separate lanes at Manchester and London Stansted airports, and some lanes are already in use. Additionally, we are currently carrying out significant construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to increase the terminal size and accommodate the new equipment.”
The Department for Transport (DfT) has been contacted for a response.
Since November 2006, there has been a limit of 100ml on liquids due to a failed terror plot where liquid explosives were found in drinks bottles and could have caused 10 planes to crash. This restriction was implemented three months after a complete ban on liquids in the cabin.
Source: independent.co.uk
