When Manchester Airport will scrap 100ml liquid rule as changes explained

Three UK airports have already scrapped the 100ml liquid rule -Credit:scu
Three UK airports have already scrapped the 100ml liquid rule -Credit:scu


Rationing your favourite toiletries into 100ml bottles before going on holiday is about to become a thing of the past. Airline passengers will soon be able to carry bottles containing up to two litres in their hand luggage.

Three UK airport have now scrapped the rules, while the others are still preparing to lift the restrictions, thanks to the rollout of Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) Scanners. It should make passing through security less stressful, taking away the need to unpack liquids or electricals from carry-on bags.

The new 3D scanners were supposed to be implemented in 2022 but their roll-out was delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A number of major airports are therefore yet to lift the 100ml restriction.

READ MORE: Manchester Airport security pour away boy's life-saving liquid as it broke 100ml rule

Aberdeen International Airport recently become the third airport to remove the requirement for passengers to limit liquids in hand luggage to 100ml and place them in clear plastic bags. Teesside and London City Airports were the first to scrap the rule after the scanners were installed.

The 100ml rule was introduced around the world in November 2006 after British police foiled a terrorist plot to smuggle liquid explosives - disguised as soft drinks - onboard a number of flights.

The government has set a nominal deadline of June 1 for major airports to bring in the new system. It's expected that Leeds Bradford, Birmingham, Bristol and East Midlands airports will meet the deadline.

Passengers waiting at Manchester Airport departures
A number of major airports have had to delay lifting the 100ml rule, including Manchester Airport -Credit:Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News

However, Manchester Airport will not be meeting the June 2024 deadline. The government has granted extensions to several large airports unable to meet the June 1 deadline.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport previously said that they continue to make ‘good progress’ with installing the scanners but that they won’t be fully rolled out until next year. The new scanners are in place at ‘several lanes’ but the airport is urging passengers to continue to follow the current restrictions on liquids in hand luggage until the programme has been completed.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to make good progress at all three of our airports on the introduction of new security screening equipment, as part of the UK-wide programme. This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction. We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports, with several new lanes already in operation.

"Work is also underway on major construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to expand the size of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment. This will see the new scanners in place on a large number of our security lanes by June 2024, with the full completion of the programme expected the following year."

It comes as the mother of a teenage boy with a severe peanut allergy called for procedural changes after his life-saving antihistamine medication was confiscated from him during security checks at Manchester Airport. Emma Wakefield said she was anxious at the thought of her 14-year-old son, Ben, going on a school trip to Italy, since his allergies have previously left him seriously ill in hospital.

She packed two batches of his allergy medication, together with a paper prescription, a signed doctor's letter and a copy of Ben's care plan. But Emma said that at security, Ben's medication - a 150ml bottle inside his bag - was confiscated and tipped away, without his teacher being consulted. The bag had been rejected in an X-ray scan because of the bottle.

The Manchester Evening News understands Ben didn't speak up or present security staff with his paper prescription, signed doctor's letter or care plan. Manchester Airport has confirmed it investigated the incident and viewed CCTV, and was now in contact with Ben's family.

Current hand luggage liquid restrictions at Manchester Airport

  • Liquids must be 100ml or less and in a container that is clearly labelled

  • Liquids must be placed in a transparent plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20c

  • Liquids include: water, pastes, creams, lions, oils, perfumes, make-up, sprays, inhalers, gels, contents of pressurised containers, liquid-solid mixtures and any other item of a similar consistency

  • The following are not classed as liquids: lipsticks, lip balms and stick deodorants

Passengers should also ensure that electrical items such as laptops can be easily removed at security.