Airports were hit by the sudden rule change just before the summer holidays

Airports have criticized the Government’s re-introduction of a limit on liquids over 100ml carried in hand luggage at some UK terminals. The Airport Operators Association, 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, the BBC reported.

However, smaller airports such as London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen and Southend complied in time and as a result dropped the old liquid rules – in the case of London City Airport, as early as spring 2023. 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.

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 train 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 at their departure airport before travelling.”