People travelling via Liverpool and Manchester Airports to and from Europe will have to stick to 100ml liquid limits for the time being despite the introduction of new high-tech scanners. Tony McDonough reports
Long-standing rules limiting air travellers to 100ml liquids in their hand luggage are to stay in place for the time being across the EU.
It means travellers using Liverpool and Manchester Airports will continue to have to carry mini toiletries in clear plastic bags when they go through security. Earlier this summer the UK said the rules would have to remain in place and now the EU has followed suit.
Earlier this year it was hoped 2024 would see the roll-out of the latest CT X-ray technology to provide a 3D image of what’s in passengers’ bags.
Following a successful trial of the technology the UK Government mandated all airports to have the new scanners installed and in operation by mid-2024.
It will mean passengers will no longer have to remove items such as tablets, laptops and liquids from their cabin baggage. The 100ml liquid container limit would be extended to two litres. This would speed up movement through security.
However, due to what has been described as a “temporary technical issue” with the new scanners the old rules will remain in place until further notice. Some EU airports had initially scrapped the rule.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s advice has been the same throughout the summer and remains unchanged. It says: “This summer passengers travelling through Liverpool John Lennon Airport should prepare for security as normal.
“They should bring liquids in containers up to 100ml in 1-litre clear plastic bags and remove those plastic bags and electrical items from their hand luggage.”
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It was mid-June when the Department for Transport declared 100ml liquids limits must be re-introduced at UK airports where they had been dropped.
The European Commission said its latest decision was “in alignment with the EU’s international partners” and that “swift technical solutions” were being developed.