With your summer holidays not too far away, you might be wondering whether your local airport will have the new airport security scanners in place, allowing you to scrap the previous 100ml liquid rules.
Find out below if you’ll be able to head on holiday without having to worry about those pesky liquid limits in your hand luggage (goodbye, travel-size items!)
What do the new scanners do?
The new scanners are the latest in security technology, harnessing CT X-ray technology to provide 3D images, meaning you can carry up to two litres of liquid in your hand luggage. That means no more trying to cram all your toiletries into a little plastic bag! Plus, laptops can also just be left in bags – there’s no need to take them out.
In 2023 the UK government announced that all major airports in the UK would need to install new scanners by June 2024 – meaning many travellers will be expecting to head on their summer holidays this year without having to worry about the old rules.
For most airports currently, liquids in hand luggage must all be under 100ml and placed into a re-sealable plastic bag that can be no bigger than 20cm x 20cm, not exceeding one litre, and no more than one bag per person.
Will all UK airports have the new scanners by June 2024?
In short – the answer is no. The June deadline is proving difficult in particular for the UK’s larger airports, with many saying they will only partially have the new scanners installed, or in some cases, not at all.
This is due to the particularly high costs of the scanners, as well as the work that needs to go into installing them – the scanners are very heavy and in some cases, floors in terminals need to be reinforced. Staff will also need to undergo training to operate the new machines.
Which airports currently have the new security scanners?
In the south of the UK, only London City Airport is currently operating the new scanners. Those travelling from the North however will be delighted to hear that Leeds, Teesside, and Newcastle airport are all fully benefiting from the new security scanners. Hooray!
When are other airports getting the new scanners?
Liverpool
Liverpool John Lennon Airport aimed to have its new scanners up and running by Easter – so you should be able to benefit from the new measures here very soon, just in time for the start of the summer season!
Birmingham
Good news for those departing from the West Midlands airport of Birmingham, as scanners are set to be up and running by June 2024 – just in time for the summer holiday period.
Bristol
Those travelling from Bristol Airport this summer will be pleased to know the new scanners will be in place and running by June 2024.
Edinburgh
You can expect to see some of the high-tech scanners up and running at Edinburgh Airport by June 2024 – however there may still be some of the old ones in place, with full completion not expected until later in the year.
London Gatwick
Although significant progress in installing the new state-of-the-art security scanners will have been made by June 2024, full installation of the scanners is likely to not be complete at London Gatwick Airport until early 2025.
London Heathrow
London Heathrow Airport has 146 security lanes – more than any other airport in the UK – making it a rather large undertaking to install the new scanners.
Although £1 billion is being invested into making the changes – where some floors will need to be re-inforced – the work will sadly not be complete until 2025.
Manchester, London Stansted & East Midlands
These airports are all operated by the leading UK airport group MAG, and although good progress has been made in installing the new security systems, full completion of this is not expected until 2025.
However – the new technology is being rolled out lane by lane at Manchester and London Stansted, with several new lanes currently in operation!
Expansion of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment is underway, and so although you may be lucky to land on one of the new lanes, it cannot be guaranteed until the rest of the work is complete, which is expected to be next year.
Don’t forget to check before you travel
Whilst these scanners are being installed up and down the country, it’s more important than ever to check the current liquid rules for your departure point to avoid any unnecessary stress at the airport.
Make sure you know ahead of travelling if your airport is yet benefiting from the new scanners – you don’t want to get to the airport to find you can’t take things through!
It’s also important to remember to check the rules at the other end of your journey, for your return flight home. Your UK airport may have the new scanners, but your return airport may not – so don’t get caught out carrying too much liquid on the way back. Pack a little plastic bag for your essentials, just in case.
We can’t wait for our next airport trip to be that much easier thanks to this amazing new technology – if an easier airport experience has got you excited for your next getaway, take a look at some of our best summer deals below!
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