Yahoo News Latest airport hand luggage rules explained after government makes U-turn
The government has made a sudden U-turn on the regulations regarding the quantity of liquids passengers are permitted to carry in their hand luggage at UK airports.
The recent directive means all passengers departing the UK are limited to carrying only 100ml of liquids, pastes, and gels in their hand luggage until further notice. However it is not lear how long the rule would be in place for.
The announcement comes after some airports were given the greenlight to allow passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage following the installation of new CT scanners.
The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that passengers departing from Aberdeen, London City, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Southend and Teesside airports will be impacted. This is because these are the only airports that had implemented the scanners by the previous June 1 deadline.
So what are the rules now for hand luggage in the UK? Here is what you need to know.
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Why has there been a u-turn?
According to the Mirror, a DfT spokesperson said: "From 00.01 on Sunday 9 June 2024, 100ml restrictions on liquids will temporarily be reintroduced for passengers travelling from six regional airports where Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) are in full operation.
"This temporary move is to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems and will only affect a small number of passengers. For most passengers, security measures will remain unchanged."
What are the hand luggage rules now?
As before, passengers will need to ensure their hand luggage liquids are in a single clear plastic bag, and that they are that the bag is taken out of their hand luggage prior to being put through the security scanner.
Gov.uk warn that travellers should check with their airline about what size of bag you can take on the plane with you. They are also urging people to check the rules before travelling for electronic items and devices. This is because there are different rules depending on which country you are travelling to or from.
There are also restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. If possible, you should pack liquids in your hold baggage - this is luggage that you check in.
Liquids include:
all drinks, including water
liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups
cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
pastes, including toothpaste
gels, including hair and shower gel
contact lens solution
any other solutions and items of similar consistency
Gov.uk say you cannot carry frozen liquids in your hand luggage and liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally cannot go through security - even if the container is only part full. They also caution: "Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage."
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, at most airports:
containers must hold no more than 100ml
containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top
you’re limited to 1 plastic bag per person
you must show the bag at the airport security point
Are there any liquid rule exemptions?
You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security at all UK airports if they:
contain baby food or baby milk
You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if:
the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible
Do not open the security bag until you arrive at your final destination. Airport personnel may need to inspect the items to screen the liquid at the security checkpoint.
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