People must follow changes to liquid restrictions at all UK airports including Liverpool John Lennon

Laura Mckenna

17 June 2024 at 9:59 am·2-min read

Airport security — -Credit: (Image: Getty)

Holidaymakers thinking of carrying more liquids on board this summer have had their hopes dashed as a stringent travel rule has been reinstated across all UK airports.

The Department for Transport (DfT) declared over the weekend that 100ml restrictions on liquids will be reimposed immediately. This announcement comes as many UK airports are in the midst of installing new, state-of-the-art 3D scanners designed to ease restrictions and expedite the security process.

The reintroduction of the liquids cap is a setback for passengers flying from London City, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports, where the new machines have already been installed and are operational. Major airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Liverpool and Manchester have not yet upgraded their security scanners, so the rules remain the same.

The advanced new scanners generate detailed 3D images of liquids up to two litres as well as electronic equipment. When working effectively, they will help to eliminate long queues at security desks as passengers won't need to remove items from their hand luggage anymore.

What are the restrictions on liquids?

Currently, passengers are allowed to carry up to 1 litre of liquids, aerosols or gels (LAG) in containers no larger than 100ml each. These 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.

These stringent liquid rules were put into place in 2006 and have remained unchanged despite being initially introduced as a temporary measure. Plans to relax these requirements have been in the works since 2019, but recent announcements indicate that airports are not yet prepared for such changes.

What liquids are subject to these restrictions?

We've all witnessed bins overflowing with single-use drink bottles and oversized sun creams at security checkpoints, discarded by passengers who failed to comply with the strict LAG policy.

The GOV. UK website provides a detailed list of items you can carry in your clear plastic bag this summer, which includes:.

all drinks, including water.
liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as 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.

But will these rules be relaxed this summer after all?

As frustrating as it is, passengers should adhere to 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 seem unlikely to change again in time for the holiday season.

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