Heathrow Airport has finally ditched its 100ml limit on liquids in cabin bags, a restriction that had been in place since 2006. The move comes as part of a £1bn tech upgrade that has seen the installation of new CT scanners at security checkpoints.
The upgraded scanners can hold up to two litres of liquid per container and allow passengers to leave their toiletries and laptops undisturbed. This means less hassle for travellers, who no longer need to rummage through their bags or remove large electrical devices.
However, it's worth noting that the rule change only applies to flights departing from Heathrow, so passengers taking larger toiletries on return trips may not be able to bring them back through security abroad without checking the airport's restrictions first.
Heathrow estimates that its new scanners will save around 16 million plastic bags a year, tackling one of the biggest causes of delays at airport security. The upgrade also paves the way for other UK airports to follow suit, although some smaller airports have been allowed to retain the 100ml limit pending regulatory approval.
This latest development comes after a tumultuous few years, with the original deadline for large UK airports to install new scanners being pushed back from December 2022 due to pandemic-related disruptions. The government even went back on its own rules last summer, leaving passengers confused about what they could and couldn't bring through security checkpoints.
The introduction of the new scanners marks a significant shift in airport security measures, with Heathrow's chief executive claiming that it will save time for travellers and reduce delays at security.
The upgraded scanners can hold up to two litres of liquid per container and allow passengers to leave their toiletries and laptops undisturbed. This means less hassle for travellers, who no longer need to rummage through their bags or remove large electrical devices.
However, it's worth noting that the rule change only applies to flights departing from Heathrow, so passengers taking larger toiletries on return trips may not be able to bring them back through security abroad without checking the airport's restrictions first.
Heathrow estimates that its new scanners will save around 16 million plastic bags a year, tackling one of the biggest causes of delays at airport security. The upgrade also paves the way for other UK airports to follow suit, although some smaller airports have been allowed to retain the 100ml limit pending regulatory approval.
This latest development comes after a tumultuous few years, with the original deadline for large UK airports to install new scanners being pushed back from December 2022 due to pandemic-related disruptions. The government even went back on its own rules last summer, leaving passengers confused about what they could and couldn't bring through security checkpoints.
The introduction of the new scanners marks a significant shift in airport security measures, with Heathrow's chief executive claiming that it will save time for travellers and reduce delays at security.