Fourth UK airport lifts 100ml liquids rule for hand luggage, more to follow

A major UK airport has become the fourth to lift restrictions on liquids and electronic devices in hand luggage. Bristol Airport is the latest to install new security scanners, which removes the need for travelers to follow the strict 100ml liquid rules and place them inside clear plastic bags.

It also means passengers will no longer need to remove electronic devices such as laptops when going through security. Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) scanners were set to be rolled out across major UK airports before this summer with the government setting a nominal deadline of June 1, but many had to be given extensions – including Manchester Airport – with some not bringing the new technology to market until 2025.




Aberdeen, Teesside and London City Airports have all installed machines using 3D scanning technology and have seen queue times cut by 50 per cent since the scanners came in, removing the need for manual bag checks. Now they have been joined by Bristol Airport.

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Thanks to the new scanners, passengers will be able to carry bottles containing up to two liters of liquid in their luggage. Bristol Airport has invested £11.5 million in the scanners, which will be operational from June 14. Bristol Airport said that, due to exceptional regulatory approval, only liquids up to 330ml can be carried. Passengers will need to empty the contents of pockets in their bag and empty the contents of metal water bottles.

Bristol Airport’s Chief Operating Officer said: “We are delighted that all customers traveling from Bristol Airport will benefit from the latest security technology introduced.

“The new device will reduce customer stress and worry as the need for 100ml liquids to be placed in clear plastic bags and removed from hand luggage will no longer be required. The new process provides a much more customer-friendly security operation using the latest technology and offering improved screening, allowing customers to carry personal items in their hand luggage.

“We have invested over £11.5m in security equipment upgrades, and as with all complex and large-scale projects in a 24/7 operation, we needed to take a phased approach to introducing the equipment new and processes. However, customers should be reminded that there are no immediate changes to the rules governing what can be taken through security as a result of this initiative, and the current hand baggage restrictions remain in place until 14 June 2024.

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