The liquid restrictions for all major UK airports this summer including Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol

Hopes of being able to take more liquids on board this summer have been thwarted as one strict travel rule has been reinstated across all UK airports.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced over the weekend that 100ml restrictions on liquids will be reintroduced immediately. The announcement comes as many UK airports are in the process of installing new, cutting-edge 3D scanners that would ease restrictions and speed up the security process.

The liquids cap is a confusing blow for passengers flying from London City, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports, where the new machines have already been implemented and are in use. Major airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Liverpool and Manchester have not yet upgraded their security scanners so the rules remain unchanged.

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The fancy new scanners produce detailed 3D images of liquids up to two litres as well as electronic equipment. When working successfully, they will help speed up long lines at security desks as passengers won’t be required to remove items from their hand luggage any more.

What are the restrictions on liquids?

As it currently stands, passengers can take up to 1 litre of liquids, aerosols or gels (LAG) divided into containers no larger than 100ml each. The travel-sized containers must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag measuring approximately 20cm x 20cm, and passengers must remove this bag from their hand luggage for separate scanning at airport security.

The strict liquid rules were implemented in 2006 and have remained in place despite being touted as a temporary measure. Since 2019 plans have been underway to ease the requirement, but this latest announcement shows that airports are not ready yet.

What liquids are subject to restrictions?

We’ve all seen bins full of single-use drink bottles and oversized sun creams at security, abandoned by passengers who didn’t adhere to the strict LAG policy.

According to the GOV.UK website, the exact items you can take with you in your clear plastic bag this summer 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

Are the rules likely to be eased this summer after all?

As frustrating as it is, passengers should follow the existing 100ml rule for the foreseeable future. With Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airports already being granted an extension until 2025 to implement their upgraded security systems, the rules relating to liquids look unlikely to change again in time for the holiday season.