Major last minute check in luggage rule change at six UK airports

Passengers are facing major delays at check-in at some airports after rules were changed at the last minute. It has meant that some people have been hit by massive queues as they discover that items they thought were acceptable to take in their luggage are not.

Restrictions on carrying liquids over 100ml in hand luggage are being temporarily reintroduced at Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports. The rule came back in from Sunday June 9 even though some were using expensive new scanners which were meant to make the rule redundant.

All of the airports affected have Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC) in full operation and had scrapped the 100ml liquid rules after introducing the high-tech CT scanners. The Department for Transport said reintroducing restrictions would “enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems” and was not in response to a specific threat.

Birmingham Airport was hit by huge queues outside the terminal, which it blamed on the changes and passengers bringing ‘non-compliant’ hand luggage, meaning delays while they are checked and items removed.

Bristol Airport was scheduled to scrap the 100ml limit on liquids being allowed in carry-on baggage from 14 June. However, that will now be delayed. The six smaller airports affected warned passengers to pack liquids into hold luggage wherever possible to avoid delays going through security.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper advised passengers to check airport websites for specific rules before travelling. He said: “For most passengers actually the rules haven’t changed at all yet, and won’t therefore change tonight.”

He said the reintroduction of restrictions was to allow “changes” to be made to the scanning equipment. “It’s a temporary measure and we’ll set out when that can be reversed in due course,” he said.

Most UK airports, including London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, still have the restrictions on liquids in place as their new scanners are not yet in place. Liquids, including aerosols and gels, carried in hand luggage should not exceed 100ml.

A Newcastle International Airport spokesperson said the airport was working to “keep disruption to a minimum”. The government originally told all UK airports to upgrade to the new scanners by 2022, but the deadline was later moved to 1 June 2024. Major airports were subsequently allowed to miss the 1 June roll-out date.

Teesside Airport said the scanners meant passengers had a smoother journey, but added: “We recognise and respect the announcement made by the Department for Transport and will fully comply with all requirements.

“We hope this nationwide issue is resolved as quickly as possible,” they said.

Birmingham Airport had already upgraded to the new equipment, but has had to keep the 100ml rule – although passengers don’t have to remove liquids up to 100ml from hand luggage when going through security. It puts this down to “an outstanding regulatory approval on its new screening machines”.

Airports that missed the installation deadline have been able to apply individually for extension, which could mean passengers may have to deal with the restrictions until June 2025. Birmingham Airport said: ”A new Government Directive has been issued nationwide across all ports. This new directive means that the containers passengers are carrying in their hand luggage, when leaving Birmingham Airport (BHX), can be no more than 100ml in liquids, pastes and gels until further notice. This is a rule that Birmingham Airport has been complying with for months due to an outstanding regulatory approval on its new screening machines.

“Despite having this 100ml rule already in place the airport continually sees, daily, non-compliant bags with liquids, pastes and gels above this allowance taken through security.”

Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Airport said: “The rules that we have been adhering to since March are now very clear in that only liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml can be carried through in hand luggage.

“Since opening our new security area, and despite being one of the first UK airports to comply, we have been limited on the use of our multi-million-pound equipment due to an outstanding regulatory restriction meaning we had to limit liquids to 100ml. This rule has now been implemented nationwide.

“Despite the 100ml rule still being in place, we continually have non-compliant bags with liquids over the allowance which have led to inefficiencies of our equipment and resulted in extended queuing time for customers.

“It is now imperative that all customers comply with the nationwide rule to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport. A non-compliant bag with liquids over 100ml can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger’s journey through security.

“All travelling customers should check their hand luggage to ensure it complies with this restriction.”

Advice to Customers from Birmingham Airport

• Only liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml can be carried in hand luggage – anything larger needs to be in checked in luggage

• No liquids above this size.

• Anything above the 100ml will be removed and destroyed.

• No limit on the amount of under 100mls that can be carried.

• Containers that can carry more than a 100ml, such as insulated bottles, are permitted but need to be completely empty.

• When going through security please ensure all items are out of pockets including phones, keys, coins and tissues etc., remove all belts. Watches can be left on.

• Travelling with Jet2 or TUI before noon? You can drop your bags off the day before. On the day you travel make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor.

• Make sure you arrive when your check-in opens, this can be found on your booking information.

• If you have checked in online, and have no hold baggage, please arrive at the time advised by your airline and make your way to join the security queue on the ground floor.

• Know your Check-In Zone inside the terminal: Zone A for Jet2, Zone D for Emirates, Zones B & C for all other airlines

• Our new security area construction works are still on-going. This means the queuing area for security is mainly downstairs.

• Please note that all passengers arriving by train are required to head to the ground floor to join the queue for security.