U.K. To End 100ml Rule On Liquids In Hand Luggage On Planes

The U.K. government is planning ‘the biggest shake-up of airport security rules in decades’ as it plans to remove the 100ml rule on liquids at U.K. airports.

In an announcement made this week, the U.K. government is planning a deadline of August 2024 for U.K. airports to make the changes, which involve bringing in new technology to scan passenger bags.

Travelers will be able to leave liquids in their bags (up to 2 litres), in addition to all their electrical items, and they will be scanned by new 3D scanners, similar to CT scanners used in hospitals.

Currently, they must carry all liquids that they take onboard airlines in containers of 100ml or less and they must all be in a transparent plastic bag.

A trial has been taking place since 2017 at London’s Heathrow airport and after reviewing results, ministers agreed new legislation on 15 December. Transport Secretary Mark Harper said ‘the tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change.’

It is believed that the new changes will reduce wait times, improve security and also decrease the stress that travelers feel passing through security and having to remove liquids and electronics from their bags.

The rule first came into effect in 2006 after a failed terrorist attempt to blow up a plane—British authorities found hydrogen peroxide in soft drinks bottles, which they believed the carriers were planning to turn into bombs once on the plane. British police said that as many as 10 planes were targeted in the foiled plan.

Since that point, 15 years ago, there have been 100ml limits for all liquids taken onboard in carry-on luggage at all U.K. airports—airports across the U.S. have been using this technology already for a number of years, such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and Chicago’s O’Hare.