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UK airport security liquids rule status as of 2025

Posted by (Chicago, Illinois) on

This topic has been discussed before on the Travel Forum, but I think it would be great to get the latest update on the process of loosening airport security procedures in the UK.

For context: The British government mandated that all airports install brand new CT scanners for their airport security screening lanes by 2022. This would be tantamount to the elimination of the much deplored liquids rule (which the UK is still more punitive about than even mainland Europe and other developed nations, for whatever reason), as well as the requirement of removing large electrical items like laptops out of hand luggage. This has since been moved to 2024, followed by another shift to 2025, and the reinstating of the liquid restrictions at a few odd airports that completed the installation of the new technology prior to the June 2024 deadline.

What has been the status of this, particularly at the largest British airports nearer to London and Manchester? Could we potentially see a change this summer (or at least by the end of the year), or is this yet another UK project with perpetual delays?

I would love to know your experiences as of late.

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/04/liquid-restrictions-at-uk-airports-to-remain-in-place-until-june-2025

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/airport-security-rules-liquids-laptops-xw8hk058f

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/100ml-liquid-rule-airport-uk-hand-luggage-b2603657.html#:~:text=To%20reduce%20stress%20for%20passengers,losses%20as%20passenger%20numbers%20collapsed.

Posted by
1522 posts

There is certainly no change to date and I'm not aware of any news suggesting an immediate change.

Posted by
1977 posts

Sigh. I was hoping it would be relaxed this year at Heathrow but haven’t heard anything new. The new CT scanners are heavier than the old X Ray scanners. There are many lanes in many of the terminals and each one needs a new scanner. The increased weight apparently caused structural problems and subsequently requires floor strengthening.

Posted by
36 posts

I'll add a reply to my own question. I departed out of Terminal 3 this week on AA to ORD. It seems the whole checkpoint I went through had the new scanners. There were also arches between which you wait while getting checked by the agent rather than the usual metal detectors, and a separate foot scanner to reduce the need of body searches.

The whole process was pretty seamless, and my bags were waiting for me at the end of the lane by the time I got cleared (no additional alarms were set off. In my experience, because I prepare well for security at European airports, my security times range from 2 minutes to max 10 minutes or so. This time was no different.

There was another checking area with the older style of security in T3. I can't tell, but it may have been the one for flight connections. It seems LHR was doing some construction in the area near my checkpoint to restructure the floors so they can accommodate the heavier infrastructure.

All in all, a worthwhile, albeit delayed investment in airport security. The previous model was pretty time consuming and at times inconvenient. Though liquids for now should remain in containers under 100 mL, the long run goal is to have the liquids rule abolished. If that is the final outcome, I can sense better days ahead for the airport experience in Britain.

Edit: I received a response from Heathrow when I emailed them about the potential completion date. As of now, they have said "we are hopeful that the CT scanners will be fully updated by July 2025". Only time will tell if this remains the case.

Posted by
17529 posts

I went through Glasgow on Monday. Nothing had to come out of the bags.

Posted by
1625 posts

I went through Edinburgh 3 days ago and LHR Terminal 2 2 days ago. Nothing came out of bags.

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