New model screening equipment will allow passengers to bring bigger bottles on board, but not everywhere in Europe.
EU airports set to ditch much-hated hand luggage rule for UK tourists
EU airports are set to ditch the 100ml liquid limit for hand baggage in a major boost for UK tourists flying to the European Union. New model screening equipment will allow passengers to bring bigger bottles on board, but not everywhere in Europe.
The shake-up means passengers would no longer need to ensure they have no bottles containing more than 100ml when travelling. The European Commission confirmed to Euronews that the change, first reported by the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, is in the pipeline.
Under current rules, liquids in hand baggage must be packed in containers carrying no more than 100ml, with some exceptions for baby products and medicines. The changes hinge on the advanced Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX scanners made by Smiths Detection.
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To take any of the above items in your hand luggage, you need to package them accordingly at UK airports. The guidelines require liquids to comply with the following restrictions if they’re in your carry-on.
Containers must hold no more than 100ml, containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm and the contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed.
The bag must not be knotted or tied at the top and you’re limited to 1 plastic bag per person. You must show the bag at the airport security point, either.
In England, numerous airports now allow travellers to keep their liquids and large electricals inside their bags when going through security.
Airport security rules over liquids were implemented in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the US with homemade liquid bombs.
But travellers failing to adhere to the 100ml rule is currently one of the biggest causes of delays at airport security – and authorities are keen to speed up queues.
New CT scanners, which generate more detailed images of what is inside luggage, are being rolled out at airports across the UK meaning the 100ml rule will no longer be necessary.
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: “The UK has one of the most robust aviation security regimes in the world, and some airports are rolling out new technology that will allow liquid containers up to two litres to be taken through security in hand luggage.”