Holidaymakers are being warned not to get caught out.
Anyone planning a holiday this summer are being told to check the latest 100ml liquid restrictions before travelling.
Passengers flying with budget airlines such as Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet and TUI were looking forward to new technology that was scheduled to be introduced to airports by June of this year that would allow passengers to take up to two litres of liquids and gels through security.
Unfortunately, the installation of that new piece of technology has been delayed by up to a year, so holidaymakers will have to get by with restricted allowances for a little while longer.
London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports were the first to receive the new high-tech scanners, which will take better and more comprehensive pictures, thus allowing travellers to take more on board.
The technology has been compared to that used for X-rays at hospitals and medical centres. They provide a clear 3D image of what’s inside a passengers bag.
As it stands, all liquids and gels in your hand luggage must be in containers no larger than 100ml and all of these should fit within one transparent, resealable bag of dimensions 20cm x 20cm.
As a result of the pushback, ABTA, the Travel Advice & Holiday Information Association, have issued a reminder to those who plan to fly in the remaining eight months of the year.
The current hand luggage rules around liquids and electronic devices, are as follows:
- Liquids can be no more than 100ml.
- Liquids must be taken out of your bag when going through security, and put in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, with just one bag per person.
- Electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, are removed from hand luggage when you go through the security screening process.
Luke Petheridge, Director of Public Affairs at AFTA, said: “What travellers need now, as we head towards the peak months for overseas travel, is clarity about what to do when going through airport security.
“When fully implemented, the new airport scanners will make things faster and strengthen security. However, the recent extensions from the Government show that there is still some way to go before the new security rules are consistently in place across UK airports.
“With that in mind, our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind. That way, you’ll be ready to comply whatever the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination.
“You can also check with your airport in advance – and we’d also recommend checking with your return airport too.”
The majority of the public will rejoice when the 100ml liquid rules will be scrapped next year.
The limitations have been in place for 18 years, and are often credited with the long delays regularly experienced at airports across the country.
The rule was originally introduced in the early noughties after British police uncovered a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks on a series of transatlantic flights.
Related Links:
Airline launches ‘all you can fly’ pass for just under £500 for the year
No one knows where this Boeing 737 that was stolen from an airport in 2003 ended up
People going on holiday to Europe this summer hit with warning over 10-year passport rule
Martin Lewis issues urgent advice on how to save hundreds on EasyJet flights
