Scanner change at Leeds Bradford Airport means liquids can remain in bags

Leeds Bradford Airport passengers no longer have to remove small liquids from their luggage after new security rules came into effect at the terminal.

The airport has lifted strict restrictions on liquids after introducing new high-tech scanners.

Previously, 100ml bottles and electronic equipment had to be placed in a clear bag to pass through security checks.

Now, although the containers still must not exceed 100ml in size, they can remain in a passenger’s luggage during the check-in process and each person can carry an unlimited number of bottles.

The new scanners give staff a much clearer view of bag contents.

The 100ml rule was introduced in 2006 due to fears about the terrorist threat from liquid bombs.

Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive Vincent Hodder said the change came after the government issued a “change of direction”.

He said: “With the new technology we’ve been allowed, it now means that customers can now leave their electronics and electrical items in the bag and they can also leave their liquids in the bag.

“It avoids that process of having to stop and have to solve it separately,” he added.

“It also avoids repackaging at the other end of the security experience.”

BBC Look North spoke to passengers who were positive about the changes.

One said: “I just went straight through, it’s so much simpler. It just makes traveling so much easier. It’s a great new system.”

Newcastle, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports have also installed the new Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) scanners and operate under the same rules.

However, most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have restrictions on liquids as their new scanners are not yet in place.

The Department for Transport said the reintroduction of the restrictions will “allow for further improvements to the new checkpoint systems” and is not a response to a specific threat.