UK government partially eases airport liquids rules after emergency turnaround, but there’s a big catch

The UK government has partially relaxed airport liquids rules after abruptly reintroducing a 100ml limit at airports with next-generation security scanners last month. But there’s a big catch.

Several years ago, the UK Department for Transport ordered airports to install the latest generation of computed tomography (CT) scanners in a bid to overturn a decades-old rule on carrying liquids, but things didn’t go to plan.

The idea was for CT scanners to be in every major UK airport by the summer, but the rollout has been hit by long delays, with airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick facing long delays.

However, some airports have fared much better in the installation of the new scanners and in April 2023 London City became the first UK airport to lift its liquid limits after completing its CT scanner rollout.

Unfortunately, earlier last month the Department for Transport (DfT) ordered London City Airport and other airports where scanners have been installed to reintroduce the 100ml liquid limit.

The Department for Transport has not confirmed the exact reason for the change of heart, though the government says it is not due to a specific threat, but rather some technical issue with the scanners – potentially with the artificial intelligence built into the machines that is designed to detect potential threats.

Unless some software issue is resolved, the liquids rule will remain in place, even as more CT scanners are installed at airports that have delayed equipping their security checkpoints with the devices.

There is some good news for airport workers who have also been banned from taking liquids through security as part of their changeover. The DfT now says that security-certified airport workers can now take food and drink in containers no larger than two litres through security, provided they are for personal use during their shift.

Interestingly, the Department of Transportation has told airports and airlines that the increase is only a temporary solution for the summer, when workers may need to drink more to stay hydrated. The increase will expire on October 1.

Of course, this potentially means there is no quick fix to the 100ml fluid capacity limitation on next-generation security scanners.

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