Passengers travelling through Heathrow can now leave liquids of up to two litres in their hand luggage when passing through Security after the airport completed its rollout of new high-tech CT scanners.
The upgraded screening also means electronic items such as laptops and tablets no longer need to be removed from bags, and the use of clear plastic bags for liquids is no longer required.
Heathrow says it is now the largest airport in the world to have fully deployed the new scanners across all of its terminals. However, it is not the first UK airport to introduce the technology, with Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham having installed the scanners in recent years and already allowing passengers to carry liquids of up to two litres.
Across most UK airports, travellers can keep liquid containers of up to 100ml in their hand luggage without removing them, although limits remain in place. Bristol and Belfast have also increased their liquid allowance to two litres.
Other UK airports with the new scanners installed are still awaiting approval from the Department for Transport before lifting the 100ml limit.
Speaking about what this means for travellers, Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, has welcomed Heathrow’s decision to remove the 100ml liquid restriction, describing it as a positive step towards improving the passenger experience.
Lo Bue-Said said Heathrow, as the UK’s largest airport, lifting the rules would lead to faster and more efficient security screening, ultimately benefiting outbound travellers. However, she acknowledged that the rollout of new high-tech scanners across the UK has faced “a series of setbacks” in recent years, which has impacted passengers.
“Having individual airports set their own timelines on lifting the 100ml restrictions on liquids led to confusion and frustration and travellers have been tripped up by rules changing at short notice,” she said.
“With any large-scale implementation of this sort, we would urge UK airports to work collectively with government to ensure there is clear messaging around the rules to avoid confusion and delays where possible.
“We welcome this news from Heathrow, but we would advise passengers to be aware of the rules of the airport they are coming home from as they may differ.
“As always, we recommend to those that have concerns about the 100ml rules to speak to their travel agent who will be able to give them all the most relevant, up to date travel advice.”
