A UK airport has made a major change to its hand luggage procedures for when holidaymakers travel through security checks — in attempt to limit delays and chaos
A UK airport has made a major change to its hand luggage procedure when going through security at the airport.
New technology at Cardiff Airport means that travellers will now be able to leave their electronics and liquids under 100ml in their hand luggage as they pass through security.
The Next Generation Security scanners are now fully operational at Cardiff, the airport confirmed, after failing to meet the Government’s original deadline of June 1, 2024.
The new technology allows for the screening process to be quicker, giving holidaymakers more time in the airport’s recently upgraded facilities.
Works to prepare the terminal building have taken two years.
Spencer Birns, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “I would like to say a special thank you to our teams for working tirelessly to deliver this project. This state-of-the-art facility is a significant investment for the growth and future development of our National Airport.
“Safety and security is our number one priority. We have worked closely with our suppliers, who I also want to thank for their hard work and support.”
Cardiff is one of several airports in the UK, which applied for an extension to the original deadline to install the scanners.
Previously, passengers carrying any liquids, aerosols and gels in containers up to 100ml would have to remove them from their hand luggage, place them inside a one-litre transparent bag and take them out of their carry-on.
Now these items can be kept inside bags and suitcases.
The original deadline to install the new scanners was pushed back from 2022, with many airports including Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester admitting they needed more time to install the scanners.
On the other hand, smaller airports such as Teesside, London City, Birmingham and Newcastle installed the new security screening technology on time.
In June, the UK’s Department for Transport made a U-turn, which saw air passengers no longer able to carry any liquids over 100ml in their hand luggage. This meant that several airports had to revert to previous restrictions.
The DfT said it was a temporary measure “to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems”.
The new scanning equipment, which is also known as Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB), is being introduced to scan hand luggage more efficiently in 3D and allows passengers to bring larger quantities of liquids through security, which can remain in luggage for screening, as well as their electrical devices.
If passengers wish to take more than 100ml containers of liquids, gels or aerosols they will need to be in their hold luggage.
To date, it is not clear when passengers travelling from all UK airports will be able to take liquids greater than 100ml through security.