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Airports set to scrap liquid rules by 2024
The “worst part of the holiday” could soon be a thing of the past thanks to airport security 3D scanners
One of the most irritating and time-consuming airport rules looks likely to be scrapped in the next couple of years as UK aviation bosses work towards installing 3D scanners at security checks.
Currently, passengers have to remove all liquids from the hand luggage and place them in a tray to be scanned separately at security. This often leads to massive delays as many travellers forget, or simply don’t bother, to separate their liquids.
Under the current guidelines, each passenger is allowed to carry up to one litre of liquids in their hand luggage. Each container can measure a maximum of 100ml and they all must fit into one clear, resealable plastic bag.
However, the 3D scanners will give airport security staff a crystal clear view of the contents of suitcases without passengers having to separate their
belongings. It’s likely that the new measures will also apply to laptops and e-readers.
belongings. It’s likely that the new measures will also apply to laptops and e-readers.“We are slowly rolling them (the 3D scanners) out,” John Holland-Kaye, chief executive at Heathrow, confirmed last week.
“We have just started the expansion of the security area in Terminal 3 which will have more CT scanners and have a deadline of mid-2024 from the Department for Transport. By then the normal passenger experience will be that liquids stay in bags.”
The current liquid rules were implemented back in 2006 when a group of terrorists in the UK tried to smuggle explosives in soft drinks bottles on board a flight. However, the measure was only ever supposed to be temporary.
Right now, 3D baggage screening equipment is being trialled at Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham Airports and if successful, could be a “game changer” for speeding up the security checks, according to travel expert Simon Calder.
“When you ask people what’s the worst part of the holiday, generally they will say going through airport security checks.
“All the palaver, including having to have your clear plastic resealable bag with stuff that isn’t bigger than 100ml.
“It’s been 16 years now and this was only supposed to be a temporary measure.”
Image 1: Wikimedia Commons
Image 2: Archive
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