In March of this year, we wrote about the first airport in the world to remove their “liquids” rule from carry-on baggage. It reportedly halved the time passengers spent going through security screenings. A few months later we wrote about another airport that was making the jump to no longer requiring passengers to limit how much liquid they bring in their carry-on bags.
A handful of other airports either have this technology or say they will soon. However, no country has said it will remove their hand luggage restrictions.
Well, until now.
According to The Times, travelers going through the major airports in the UK will no longer have to limit their liquids to 100ml (the equivalent of approximately 3 ounces), as the UK has announced they will remove this restriction by 2024.
As per The Times, airports in the UK will allow passengers to carry liquids of any size in their carry-on and personal sized bag. Passengers will also no longer be required to remove their laptops for security.
The reason for this change of heart is, of course, the new CT scanner technology that’s slowly being introduced to airport security worldwide. The new scanners show 3D images in high resolution, which allows operators to inspect the bag from all angles. The old screening machines, which are being phased out, only show 2D images.
According to The Times, the new 3D baggage screening equipment is being tested at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The Department for Transport (DfT) has told the UK’s major airports that older screening technology must be replaced in full by the summer of 2024.
The change is expected to be a “gamechanger” for those stuck on long queues, since there would be no worries about keeping liquids in baggies, removing said baggies from bags, etc.
What about the U.S.?
The 2024 deadline is great for those flying out of UK-based airports. But when I asked representatives at TSA when the 3-1-1 liquid rules would end here, their response was less optimistic.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
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