UK airports pull the plug on travellers liquid restrictions

UK airports pull the plug on travellers liquid restrictions

Liquids, aerosols, gels? Liquids, aerosols, gels?

It’s a travel question that’s just as common as chicken or beef? But, the rule it’s enforcing could be about to be tipped down the drain.

London City Airport has become the latest to scrap the limit on the amount of liquid passengers can take onboard an aircraft. It follows similar moves from a number of airports across Europe.

New technology which has been in trial at London Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham since 2018 means the limit will no longer be needed.

The machines essentially provide security staff with a 3D image of luggage contents. Current equipment provides 2D images.

The new regulations would mean travellers could carry up to 2 litres of liquid in their carry-on luggage, and no items would need to be kept in clear plastic bags.

The change would also mean items such as laptops would no longer be required to be removed from bags at the point of screening.

The rules were put in place following the discovery of a planned terror attack involving taking hydrogen peroxide-derived explosives onto planes inside soft drink bottles.

While the changes would be good news for anxious travellers, it could bring the end of the travel-sized toiletries market which is reportedly on track to be worth US$3.2 billion by 2030.

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