### UK Travellers Urged to Double-Check Airport Liquid Regulations Amid Ongoing Changes
Holidaymakers and business travellers flying from UK airports are being strongly advised to confirm the current liquid carry-on restrictions before heading to departures, as the decades-old 100ml rule remains in force at most locations—except for a handful of airports now upgrading to new security technologies.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander gave an update on Tuesday, cautioning that while changes are underway at some airports, most passengers should still prepare their liquids in strict accordance with the long-standing regulations. The rule, which limits liquid volumes in hand luggage to a maximum of 100ml per container, looks set to remain the default for the majority of travellers for the time being.
Edinburgh and Birmingham airports have become the latest to implement new checkpoint scanners, which allow for larger containers—up to two litres—to be carried through security in hand luggage. Passengers at these airports can also keep electronics such as laptops and tablets in their bags during screening, thanks to advanced CT technology that provides more detailed imaging of baggage contents. This marks a significant step away from the security arrangements first imposed in 2006, following an aborted terror attack involving liquid explosives.
The original restrictions, requiring liquids to be presented in clear, sealed bags, were introduced amid heightened concerns over passenger safety and quickly became a major source of delays at airport security worldwide. An inability or unwillingness to comply frequently causes queues and frustration, particularly during the busy summer months.
Speaking to Times Radio, Ms Alexander stressed that the rollout of these enhanced scanners is being overseen individually by each airport, leading to inconsistencies in passenger experience across the country. “We have a situation in Edinburgh and Birmingham where they’ve got the new technology in place now and are allowing people who are travelling to take liquids in containers up to two litres through with them,” she explained. She went on to urge those flying from all other airports to continue adhering to the 100ml rule unless explicitly told otherwise.
With schedules for upgrading security differing widely from airport to airport, Alexander’s message remains clear: passengers should consult both their airline and their departure airport for up-to-date guidance prior to travel. “I’m hopeful that we get to a point where all airports have this new technology in place soon so that everyone can have that extra added flexibility when they’re travelling,” she said.
Plans for a rapid shift to the new scanning equipment had initially been outlined by the government as far back as 2019, with a deadline set for December 2022. However, the pandemic’s disruptive impact on the aviation sector, compounded by supply chain delays, forced officials to grant extensions to many airports, pushing full nationwide implementation back repeatedly. In some cases, airports that had already introduced the technology temporarily reimposed the 100ml limitation due to operational concerns.
Several airports—included Gatwick, London City, Luton, and Teesside—have introduced more lenient rules on keeping liquids in bags during security checks, but still maintain the 100ml size restriction per container. Meanwhile, airports such as Birmingham, having installed the new scanners, retained the older rules until government regulators approved the changes.
Heathrow Airport, the UK’s largest and busiest, has indicated that while most passengers are now passing through new security lanes, the wider rollout is not yet complete. A spokesperson for Heathrow recommended that passengers should still be prepared to adhere to the 100ml limit.
At Birmingham Airport, where more advanced scanning equipment became operational last summer, airport authorities expressed optimism about the changes. “This change will enable a faster and more efficient processing of hand luggage, following the £60 million investment in equipment and infrastructure made last year,” a spokesperson commented, highlighting the expected benefits for passengers during the peak travel season.
Edinburgh Airport’s chief executive Gordon Dewar called the lifting of the 100ml restriction “a momentous day”, reflecting on how an entire generation had grown up knowing nothing else. He noted that the shift to allow larger liquid volumes strikes a balance between flexibility for travellers and the goal of maintaining, or even enhancing, stringent safety standards via state-of-the-art 3D imaging technology.
As of now, UK government and airport authorities remain committed to a phased, safety-led approach, with the hope that all airports will soon be able to offer passengers a more convenient and efficient screening experience. Until then, the advice for travellers is unambiguous: assume the 100ml limit is still in place, and check for any updates before heading to the airport.