Government criticized for 100ml liquids, U-turned amid chaos at Birmingham airport

The trade body for UK airports said the move had created “uncertainty” for passengers at the busiest time of the year and left airports with little time to prepare for the changes.

The government has required all airports to install new scanners that allow up to two liters of liquids to be stored in hand luggage when passengers go through security.

Larger airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester missed the latest deadline – set for June 1 this year – to install the technology due to logistical challenges.

However, smaller airports, including Birmingham Airport, along with London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen and Southend, were to continue, with some already waiving the 100ml liquids rule – in the case of London Airport City, the rule was waived early. as spring 2023.

Enormous outdoor queues snaked around the terminals at Birmingham Airport, particularly early in the morning, amid confusion over the latest rules, with some people missing flights, as chief executive Nick Barton told the Express & I stress how important it is that passengers do not transport containers of liquids, pastes or gels larger than 100 ml in hand luggage.

He said: “What passengers can do to help us help them is to make sure there’s not a single bottle of liquid, liquid or toothpaste, or whatever it might be, in their hand bag – so the bag they take with them. plane – that is, more than 100 ml.

“It’s a very simple message, but one that we convey over and over again.

What the Department for Transport (DfT) said about the 100ml liquid rule at UK airports

Last Friday, the Department for Transport (DfT) unexpectedly announced that from June 9 the old rule – allowing liquids, gels and pastes under 100ml to be taken through security – would be reinstated.

The DfT said: “This temporary move is to allow further improvements to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers.”

However, the Government’s move has caused concern among airport bosses, who say they fear staff will not have enough time to respond to the change.

“Changes announced without notice as airports enter peak periods”

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: “These latest changes announced on Friday, instigated at very little notice, have created uncertainty for passengers just as airports enter their busiest times of the year.

“It has also put airport operators in a difficult position with very limited time to prepare the additional staff and wider resources this will require and no clear idea of ​​when this issue will be resolved.”

A DfT spokesman replied: “The temporary reintroduction of the 100ml liquid restriction at some airports is to allow time for further improvement of systems.

“It only affects those traveling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) were already in full operation – around 6% of all UK air passengers.

“For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged from those in place since 2006.

“Passengers should continue to check security requirements with their departure airport before traveling.”