As much as many people like jetting off on holiday, the airport experience can be tough. There’s a lot of waiting around involved, but this may be about to become a thing of the past thanks to a new travel rule
Queues at security checkpoints in 11 UK airports are set to “significantly reduce” following the introduction of a new travel rule. The deployment of advanced security scanners across the UK is expected to decrease queue times and streamline the travel process.
Passengers have been anticipating this development for some time, with some airports already equipped with the cutting-edge technology. The initiative began in 2019 when former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the 100ml restriction on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) would be eased at major UK airports within three years.
This adjustment marks the end of a “temporary” measure put in place after a security threat in 2006, although it took some time for the new rule to come into effect. Security queues, especially during busy periods, are notorious for their length, often requiring travellers to hurriedly unpack their belongings into trays for scanning.
The innovative system, however, will do away with the need to empty bags, and passengers won’t have to place liquids into a transparent bag anymore. Instead, the new security scanners, which utilise computed tomography (CT), will inspect the molecular composition of items inside a passenger’s bag.
This method, akin to a medical scan one might undergo at a hospital, can determine whether liquids and electronics are safe without having to remove them from the bag. Consumer organisation Which? explained all in a recent TikTok video.
It revealed: “New rules at UK airports could slash waiting times at security. 11 UK airports, including Gatwick, Southampton and Birmingham, have rolled out next-gen CT scans – that means you can keep your liquids and electronics in your bag, so no more unpacking at security.
“But, even though you can still keep your liquids in your bag, and you don’t need a plastic bag – you still can’t go over the 100ml limit. Finally, liquids in flasks must be poured out since the scanners can’t see through them.”
The introduction of these fancy scanners was delayed, with the pandemic playing havoc with the global supply chain, prompting Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s government to extend the deadline for major airports to June 2024.
Originally, officials warned that failure to comply by the set date might lead to “serious financial penalties.” Despite Birmingham Airport’s approximately £60 million investment on Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC), a mere week past the cut-off, the decision was made to revert to the original 100ml LAGs rule.
On a positive note, Which? reports that some airports are already facilitating smoother security checks thanks to the new CT scanner technology, listing the current locations where they’re operational, which include:
- London Gatwick
- London City
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Edinburgh
- Leeds Bradford
- Luton
- Newcastle
- Southend
- Southampton
- Teesside
After the video was shared, one person said: “Newquay in Cornwall has the newest scanners already. Security took all of two minutes and zero queue.”
Another traveller chimed in with: “Ireland has done it for years.” Someone else replied: “Stanstead was super quick – didn’t need to take things out of hand luggage – they have 3D scanners now.”
However, some flyers warned there are still occasions when you might be subjected to a security check, with a few noting personal experiences of being checked while on their travels.
