It’s back!
Although, as you’ll see from our Ultimate Travel Checklist, it never really went away.
Nevertheless, it’s a bump in the road for UK airports hoping to ease confusion and delays at security for travellers.
The new CT scanning equipment creates a 3D image of what’s inside the bags, and should make the longstanding limit of just 100mls of liquid unnecessary.
By early June, 6 UK airports – London City, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, Newcastle, London Southend and Teesside – had done away with the rule.
But the rollout of the new equipment seems to have suffered an unspecified glitch, and, while the new scanners are still in use at these airports, the 100mls liquid rule has been reintroduced – at least temporarily.
What are the new airport security scanners?
The Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are designed to be more sensitive, able to detect prohibited items in hand luggage with greater accuracy.
It’s meant to save time in security, and be more convenient for air passengers.
They were to be introduced at all UK airports from June 2024, but in April the government announced it was allowing more time to implement the change.
Meanwhile, the six UK airports mentioned above had already gone ahead, and Bristol airport introduced them on 14 June 2024.
But on the 7th June the Department of Transport announced that there were ‘further improvements to be made’ to the NGSCs and announced that the 100mls liquid/gel/aerosol limit in hand luggage stays in place at all UK airports until further notice.
What’s good about the Next Generation Security Checkpoints?
As always you should check the requirements of individual airlines before flying, but for many passengers the NGSC should simplify things at security, as more can be scanned inside bags, including up to 100mls of liquids, gels or aerosols.
So for now, at any airport where the new scanners are in operation, you may find:
• Laptops, mobile phones, other electrical items, coins and keys can be scanned inside the bags.
• Liquids, as long as they are in containers less than 100mls, can be scanned inside the bags
• Coats, shoes and belts may need to be removed, usually at the request of a security officer.
• Pushchairs, wheelchairs etc will be manually searched or X-rayed.
• Essential medicines with a prescription and food and drink for infants in containers greater than 100ml will still need to be removed from baggage and screened separately.
And remember, NGSCs are only in operation at the following UK airports:
• London City
• Leeds Bradford
• Aberdeen
• Newcastle
• London Southend
• Teesside
• Bristol
Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow have yet to announce a date for their implementation.
And don’t forget, even when the new scanners are in full operation at the airport you’re flying from, the one you’re returning from may not have them yet.
So it looks like we’ll be hanging on to those clear bags and mini containers for a little bit longer!
For updates as the new system comes online in the UK, check the airports’ own websites or the Department of Transport aviation news.
Have you travelled via an airport where the Next Generation Security Checkpoints have been in operation?
Did it make security checks quicker and easier for you?
Where to next?
• New Entry Exit System for Europe
• Tourist Taxes
• Why your passport might stop you travelling