Airports miss deadline to end 100ml rule on liquids
Airports are set to miss a summer deadline that would allow passengers to take more than 100ml of liquids on to flights because they were too slow to install new security scanners.
The restrictions were due to be axed on June 1 2024 in a move that would have allowed passengers to fly with up to 2 litres of liquids in their carry-on luggage.
However, a decision to extend the deadline could mean that the onerous conditions are not lifted at some airports until a year later.
It is not the first time the cut-off point has been pushed back. Airports were originally given a deadline of 2022 to roll out the technology, but this was later pushed back to June this year.
The Government has now extended the deadline on a per-airport basis, threatening “serious financial penalties” for any which continue to lag behind.
Consumer champions criticised airport bosses’ failure to make the changes in time and said it was imperative that the new equipment be bought in as quickly as possible.
New X-ray scanner technology was supposed to let airport security staff scan liquids inside hand luggage, giving them a detailed 3D image of the contents instead of the 2D image generated by current scanners.
Ministers are aware of the reasons why airports have struggled to install the new scanners before the previous June 1 2024 deadline, The Telegraph understands.
These include the devices’ weight and size, with one source comparing them to a Ford Transit van.
Some airports have had to reinforce the floors of their terminal buildings to cope with the extra weight.
The Telegraph understands that it could take up to a year for several major airports – including London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands – to complete the process.
Meanwhile Gatwick Airport said it expects to install its remaining scanners within the first three months of 2025.
‘No fee increase’
Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “It’s imperative that these changes are made as quickly as possible and that the rules at different airports are communicated clearly to passengers.
“Those airports that have failed to install the scanners in time should not increase passenger fees this year – this would be impossible to justify when this key improvement to the passenger experience has not been made.”
Paul Charles, boss of travel consultancy PC Agency, said airports had had long enough to prepare themselves.
He said: “I think consumers will be deeply frustrated and unhappy. They are going to have to have another summer of taking liquids out of their bags to go through the pain of security with these measures still in place.
“We were promised more seamless travel, and airports which were easier and faster to go through.
“Airports have had long enough to plan for this, so it’s a failure for airports to prepare adequately for the summer.”
‘Ensure simplicity’
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of trade association Airlines UK, said: “Delivering these changes throughout all UK airports will be key to improving airline passengers’ experience.
“The extension of the deadline for those airports who require it will ensure simplicity and ease for customers during this transition.”
Financial penalties will be handed to airports that do not meet the new deadline, although the Department for Transport was unable to say how large these would be.
A senior aviation industry source said of the deadline extension: “It’s a long time coming. Hopefully everyone can get their ducks in a row and get them deployed. And hopefully this provides airports with some certainty heading into the busy summer period.”
Some smaller airports have successfully rolled out the new scanners, including London City and Teesside.
Newcastle Airport has also made the changes, with Luton and Bristol both on target to meet the June 2024 deadline.
‘Major construction projects’
A Manchester Airport Group spokesman said: “We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports, with several new lanes already in operation.
“Work is also under way on major construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to expand the size of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment.”
“This will see the new scanners in place on a large number of our security lanes by June 2024, with the full completion of the programme expected the following year.”
The in-flight liquid limit was introduced in 2006 after British police foiled an Islamist terror plot to detonate explosives on transatlantic flights.
They planned to smuggle liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks in their hand luggage, in what would have been the deadliest terror attack since 9/11.
Last year The Telegraph tested the London City scanners, finding that they were able to handle a full bottle of malbec, a jar of jam and a snow globe among other items all in the same bag.
