Some airports are starting to ditch the 100ml liquid limit on hand luggage this summer – letting holidaymakers pack bigger bottles. For nearly 20 years, UK travellers have had to squeeze liquids into 100ml containers or stick them in checked baggage if they wanted to bring more.
And they have had to make sure everything fits into a 1-litre clear plastic bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm. But after new official guidance, Edinburgh Airport and Birmingham Airport are breaking free from the rule, letting passengers bring up to two litres of liquids on board.
Edinburgh’s made the switch after installing eight top-notch X-ray scanners as part of a £24 million security revamp, the Liverpool Echo.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, expressed his enthusiasm about the development, saying: “This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team. We are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone.
“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.”
In a similar vein, Birmingham Airport has also given increased the liquid limit. They are now allowing flyers to pack liquids, pastes and gels in containers up to two litres in their hand luggage.
The airport said: “Only liquids, pastes and gels in containers no larger than 2 litres (2L) can be stashed in hand luggage – anything bigger needs to go in the hold. No liquids above this size. Anything exceeding the 2L limit will be confiscated and destroyed.
“There’s no cap on the number of 2L containers you can carry. Containers like insulated bottles are allowed but must be completely empty. Don’t bag your liquids, pastes and gels in plastic bags (leave them loose in hand luggage). Don’t remove them from your hand luggage when you’re in the security search area.
Leave all electricals in hand luggage during the security search. When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc. Watches can be left on.”
Source: MSN (Story by Claire Schofield & Dan Taylor)