The UK’s fourth major airport has 100ml liquid and baggage restrictions lifted

A fourth major UK airport has lifted limits on liquids and being able to take some hand luggage onto aircraft. Most travelers have been forced for years to limit themselves to just 100ml of liquid and keep it in clear plastic bags.

Items such as laptops must also always be removed for check-in, meaning check-in delays. In a bid to streamline the process, the government ordered airports to introduce new scanners at airports – but many have been delayed, even though they were supposed to be in place this summer.

People using Bristol Airport no longer have to limit toiletries and liquids to 100ml bottles and will be able to leave laptops, tablets and mobile phones in their hand luggage as they go through security. It joins Aberdeen, Teesside and London City, where queuing times have been cut by 50% after scanners came in, eliminating the need to manually check bags.

The installation of Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) scanners means the previous 100ml liquid rule is no longer in place, with departing passengers able to carry bottles containing up to two liters in their hand luggage. Electrical items such as laptops will also be able to remain in hand luggage when going through the new 3D scanners.

Bristol Airport has invested £11.5 million in the scanners, which will be operational from June 14. Bristol Airport said that due to outstanding regulatory approval, only liquids up to 330ml can be carried.

Passengers will need to empty the contents of their pockets into their bag and empty the contents of their metal water bottles. Bristol Airport’s Chief Operating Officer said: “We are delighted that all customers traveling from Bristol Airport will benefit from the latest technology being introduced to security.

“The new equipment will reduce stress and inconvenience for customers as 100ml liquids will no longer need to be placed in clear plastic bags and removed from hand luggage. The new process provides a much more customer-friendly security operation, using the latest technology and offering improved screening, allowing customers to keep personal items in their hand luggage.

“We have invested over £11.5m in improving security equipment and, as with all large-scale and complex projects, in a 24/7 operation we needed to take a phased approach of the introduction of the new equipment. and processes. However, customers should be reminded that there are no immediate changes to the rules governing what can be taken through security as a result of this initiative, and the current hand luggage restrictions remain in place until 14 June 2024.

“Customers are reminded that although the UK has introduced new security regulations when returning from destination airports, customers are advised to check the requirements of their departure airport as these regulations may differ from the UK.”

Bristol Airport is also upgrading its Fast Track security channels between 14 June and 31 July. Pre-booked Fast Track customers will be directed through a dedicated lane in the Central Search area while the upgrade takes place.

The government previously announced it had granted extensions to several major UK airports that were unable to meet their June 1 deadline to fully install the new scanning technology. In airports that have not implemented them, the limit remains at 100 ml, and containers must be placed in transparent plastic bags.

Ministers have issued extensions of up to 12 months for several airports on a case-by-case basis, which is expected to be enough time for all to complete the work. The government is also looking at how financial penalties could be imposed for further non-compliance.