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The UK’s first major airport is scrapping the 100ml liquids rule next week

New scanners will be integrated into three more UK airports by the end of June

Annie McNamee
Written by
Annie McNamee
Contributor, Time Out London and UK
A plastic bag holding 100ml liquids at an airport
Photograph: Jaromir Chalabala / Shutterstock
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If you’ve been keeping up with the drama of the UK’s new airport scanners over the past couple of years, you’ll know that it’s been a wild ride. If you’re new here, we can quickly catch you up. 

Basically, brand new scanners were announced way back in 2018 that would make going through security much easier and quicker. Those scanners were due to be installed in every UK airport by this summer, according to government targets. Earlier this year, however, several major airports back-tracked on that schedule

The new CT scanners can create a 3D X-ray reconstruction of the contents of your bag, meaning that you don’t have to take anything out of it. That means no more awkwardly removing your laptop and then battling to fit it back into your bag, and it also means no more 100ml rule. Once this equipment is universal, you won’t even have to put your liquids in a little clear bag. 

That all sounds wonderful, but it likely won’t be commonplace until this time next year. However, there is some good news – a couple of airports are looking like they will actually meet the deadline. 

Teeside and London City were ahead of the curve, introducing the scanners and scrapping the 100ml rule a while back. Recently, Aberdeen also introduced the tech, and now Birmingham is set to become the first major British airport to completely integrate the equipment. 

By June 1 you’ll be able to breeze through Birmingham’s security without any holdups. Luton and Bristol are also looking like they’ll be close behind, hoping to also replace their old machines entirely by the end of the month. 

Unfortunately, that’s all the updates we have for now. Most major airports, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, and Edinburgh won’t have finished upgrading their security services until sometime in 2025, but we’ll keep you posted on any info we get in the meantime. Until then, enjoy your summer holidays knowing that next year the whole flying process is going to be so much easier. Now THAT’s a relaxing thought. 

Up, up and away

At Time Out we keep an eye on all things British aviation. For instance, did you see that that this low-cost airline is launching flights between Edinburgh and New York? Or that this is officially the best airline in Europe? We’ve also updated you on how easyJet strikes might disrupt your travels, and how EasyJet has launched two new sunny holiday routes from this major UK airport.

Here’s everything you need to know about the UK General Election 2024.

Plus: UK cities are getting loads of free Olympic fan zones this summer.

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