Airport Security Rules to Ease Thanks to New Technology

New 3D scanning technology is set to revolutionise airport security checks. In this post we look at this game-changing technology and what it means for travellers.

In December 2022 the UK Government Department for Transport announced how passengers would benefit from the biggest shake-up of airport security rules in decades.

The government announced June 2024 as the deadline for major airports to install new scanning technology that will allow passengers to retain liquids and large electronic devices in their cabin luggage as they pass through security checks. New scanning technology means passengers will no longer be delayed while they remove items from their luggage and the essential security checks performed by airport security staff will be more efficient and effective.

This new airport security regime, announced on the 15th December 2022, is intended to be rolled out to all major UK airports by 2024 and is anticipated to take 2 years to be fully implemented.

Current Restrictions on Liquids

Most airports around the world impose restrictions on the quantity of liquids passengers can take through airport security checks in their carry-on luggage. Liquids, gels and creams such as sun cream, shampoo, toothpaste and mouthwash, are commonly carried by passengers. Current rules restrict the capacity of each container to no more than 100ml of liquid and the total amount mustn’t exceed 1 litre. All of the liquids must be placed inside clear, resealable plastic bags measuring around 20cm by 20cm. Passengers are required to removed these items from their luggage to enable security scanning by airport staff. Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and MP3 players, can be taken onto aircraft but must be easily accessible as they will typically need to be removed and placed in a separate tray for security screening.

These security rules were established in 2006 after an Al-Qaeda plot, to bring down more than seven transatlantic flights using liquid explosives. The plot was uncovered by the Metropolitan police and liquid explosives were discovered, contained in half litre soft drinks bottles. Airport authorities in both the UK and US immediately stopped passengers from carrying any liquids, except baby milk, in their hand luggage.

In November 2006 these ultra-tight restrictions were relaxed to allow passengers to carry small quantities (up to 100ml) of liquids in their hand luggage, contained inside clear plastic bags. The requirement for passengers to remove these items from their luggage, to enable inspection by security staff, immediately resulted in lengthy security queues as passengers need time to unpack and repack their belongings and security staff required time to carry out manual checks. Although these vital new security checks clearly slowed passenger throughput they were recognised as effective and were therefore adopted in most other countries.

New Liquid Rules at Airports

The new rules, announced by the UK government, will bring an end to the 100ml container size restriction. Its anticipated the carry-on liquid amount will be increased to 2 litres at all major airports. This new limit is already in force at some popular air transport hubs and is expected to be rolled out to all major airports by June 2024. But its important for passengers to be aware of security restrictions that might continue to exist at various stages of their journey. While they may have embarked on their aircraft via an airport that doesn’t impost the 100ml liquid capacity restriction this limit may still be in place at other airports.

How the New 3D Security Scanners Work

Advanced X-ray security scanners have been undergoing trials at number of busy airports. The HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, developed by London-based Smiths Detection, has been on trial at Heathrow airport since 2019. Advanced X-ray scanning technology creates layered, 3D images of luggage contents that can be manipulated by trained security personnel to identify exactly what’s in the scanned bag. The luggage scanning technology is similar to the technology used in hospital CT scanners.

Importantly, these systems provide far more detailed images than a traditional x-ray and the 3D images can be rotated and inspected from any angle. This means travellers will not need to remove as many items from their carry-on luggage and the new technology also has enhanced explosives detection capabilities.

Passengers travelling through transport hubs equipped with this new scanning technology will be allowed to retain most of their belongings inside their carry-on luggage including laptops, other large electronic devices along with liquids.

Airport Trials Underway

Trials of this new scanning technology have been underway since 2018 at various locations. Ireland’s Shannon airport phased out the 100ml liquid capacity restriction in 2022 after investing 2.5 million Euros in a new luggage screening system. The equipment installed at Shannon airport includes four Rhode & Schwarz security scanners that provide instant scan results alongside four Smiths Detection EDS CB security CT scanners. This cutting edge equipment eliminates the need for any full-body hand searches and provides security operatives with detailed, high-definition 3D images.

Travellers using London’s City Airport are also no longer restricted by the 100ml liquid capacity limit thanks to the installation of new scanning technology. New security scanners at the airport allow passengers to carry up to 2 litres of liquid in their luggage along with all electronic devices.

New scanning technology is also being trialled at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports as well as a number of overseas airports such as Schipol in the Netherlands and both Barcelona and Madrid in Spain.

What These Changes Mean for Travellers

The roll out of new security scanning technology across all major airports will significantly save time for travellers. Since 2006, when the current restrictions were imposed, air travellers have become accustomed to the time it takes to get through airport security checks. Travellers have learned what they can carry in their hand baggage and how they need to restrict the size of any liquid containers, as well as placing them inside transparent plastic bags. As of June 2024 these restrictions will no longer exist at most major UK airports which will mean faster passenger throughput, shorter queues and happier travellers.

Another major improvement is the contribution these new technologies make to passenger security and safety. Scanning technology enhancements provide airport security professionals with a detailed view of what’s contained in passenger’s bags making it virtually impossible for terrorists to use hand baggage to carry explosives or weapons onto aircraft.

But, as noted, the roll out of this new technology is progressive and the requirement for it to be in place by June 2024 doesn’t apply to all regional airports. For example, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), responsible for the management and operation of 11 regional airports, has stated that, due to their status as a regional airport operator, they are exempt from this new legislation. The 11 regional airports they operate include some of the UK’s most remote communities at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O`Groats. They offer flights to various destinations including Edinburgh, London and Amsterdam. This means the 100ml carry-on luggage liquid restriction will remain in place for passengers using these airports. HIAL have said they will be exploring the introduction of new security scanning technology over the next few years.

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