UK airports may no longer scrap 100ml liquid rule as planned this summer
Hopes that the highly-anticipated 100ml liquid ban will be lifted in the UK this summer could have been dashed, as three major airports announce they might miss the deadline.
It may still be winter, but we're all counting down towards holiday season in the spring and summer.
And with Storm Isha making its mark on the UK these past few days after freezing cold conditions last week, the idea of jetting off on holiday somewhere hot is more tempting than ever.
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Many of us who'll be taking a trip the airport this summer were also looking forward to the fact the 100ml liquid ban was set to be scrapped, which is arguably one of the biggest headaches for travellers.
The law was first introduced in 2006 after a plot to bomb a transatlantic flight was exposed.
Due to this, the amount of liquid you could take in your hand luggage was capped at 100ml and had to be placed in a single clear bag.
We all know the struggle of fumbling around in the queue trying to make it all fit...
Anyway, thanks to new tech which provides 3D images meaning electronics can remain in your bag and up to two litres of liquids can be taken through, the stress of trying to stuff all your minis in that little clear bag could be behind us.
The deadline to install the scanners is fast approaching, set for 1 June.
But some of Britain's largest airports are in jeopardy of missing this deadline, with Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester not expecting to meet it.
Despite the bigger airports being behind, the BBC has revealed that London City Airport and Teesside International Airport have already rolled theirs out.
The issue lies mostly in the need to free staff for training, costs and also the need to ensure that floors can take the weight of the new equipment.
London Heathrow features 146 security lanes, but has began introducing the new tech at three of its terminals, though it cannot guarantee a complete rollout by the 1 June.
Meanwhile, both Gatwick and Manchester have said they have made a good level of progress, but that they won't expect to complete the work until 2025.
Which? travel editor Rory Boland spoke to the media, saying: "We're now going to go into a situation where different [UK] airports have different rules."
He also highlighted that this might cause confusion among passengers and security.
"It is disappointing that we're in a situation just months ahead of the peak travel period... and major airports aren't ready," he added.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport said: "We are in regular contact with airports as they move towards [the] June 2024 deadline for upgrading their screening equipment and processes."
Let's all hope we can travel stress-free at security by the time summer rolls around, aye?
LADbible has contacted Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airport for further comment.
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “London Gatwick will have made significant progress installing state of the art next generation security scanners by June 2024 in both terminals. We currently plan to have completed the major logistical operation required to install the remaining scanners in Q1 2025, after the busy summer peak period has concluded.
“The airport’s investment in this new technology means once the new scanners are phased in, the security process will be transformed with passengers no longer required to remove electrical items or put liquids in plastic bags. The new scanners will also quickly identify potential threats in cabin baggage by providing even better images of luggage, with the safety of passengers the airport’s highest priority.“
A MAG (MAG operates Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports) spokesperson said: "We continue to make good progress at all three of our airports on the introduction of new security screening equipment, as part of the UK-wide programme. This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction.
"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 underway 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."
Joshua Nair