In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s been big changes across UK airports over the past 12 months. Thanks to the (long-awaited) roll-out of swanky new CT scanners, most British airports have now eliminated the need to faff around transferring all your liquids in a see-through pouch when going through security. But, despite promises that the limit would be scrapped, they all still required bottles of liquids, aerosols and gels to be kept under 100ml... until now.
Finally, seven years after the new machines were first announced, two UK airports have become the first to scrap the 19-year-long limit on liquids. Passengers going through Birmingham and Edinburgh airports can now pack containers of up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage.
That means you can now take anything from full-sized shampoo and bulk bottles of suncream to jars of jam and a bottle of wine (or two, or three) in your hand luggage, if you so wish. The only thing to note is that metal water bottles will still have to be emptied before they go through security.
Airports can only scrap the limit once their security protocols have been signed off by the Department for Transport. Although most UK airports are now equipped with the new tech, Birmingham and Edinburgh are the only ones that have been approved so far. Liquids must be kept under 100ml at the rest but, as we said, you no longer have to take them out of your bag. Of the UK’s 20 biggest airports, only Heathrow, Manchester and Stansted will still make you put your liquids in a separate clear bag in some of their security lanes.
It’s thought that Aberdeen, Bristol, London City, Newcastle and Teesside airports will be granted permission to ditch the limit next.
Gordon Dewar, the chief executive of Edinburgh airport, said: ‘A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.
‘The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology. But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.’
Keep in mind that the rules at the airport for your return journey could be different, so make sure to check before you travel.
ICYMI: Ryanair is making a major change to its bag policy.
Plus: UK airlines could soon stop charging extra for hand luggage.
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