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Boris Johnson vowed the liquid limits at airport security would be lifted by 2022 but three years later, and many UK airports still haven’t rolled them out.
The days of frantically unloading half your luggage at airport security are almost over – but not just yet. The UK’s busiest airports have confirmed work is still ongoing to install them after years of delays.
It all started back in 2019, when ex-Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged the 100ml limit on liquids, aerosols, and gels (referred to as LAGs) would be eased at major UK airports within three years. It would mark the end of a ‘temporary’ measure brought in following a security threat in 2006 where a terrorist had plotted to blow up a plane from Heathrow.
Security queues can be lengthy during peak periods, as travellers frantically unload their bags into boxes ready for the scanners. And it’s not unheard of to miss a flight due to huge delays in security. The new shake-up promises to eliminate the emptying of bags, and the need to put liquids in a clear bag. The new security scanners are set to use computed tomography (CT) to analyse the molecular structure of a passenger’s bag. It’s a similar process to a medical scan you may have in a hospital, and can analyse whether liquids and electronics pose a threat – without them being removed.
But replacing each security lane with these new scanners takes time – and the pandemic had a huge impact on the global supply chain. Rishi Sunak’s government therefore ended up giving major airports an extension to June 2024. It warned those who fail to meet the deadline would be slapped with ‘serious financial penalties’. However, just a week after the deadline – which saw airports like Birmingham spend £60 million on upgrading to Next Generation Security Checkpoints (NGSC), the government stipulated everyone had to go back to the 100ml LAGs limit.
While the new scanners hadn’t been compromised, new concerns meant airports were ordered to re-restrict liquids. Electronics were not impacted by the ruling. So, now in 2025, how far are we from having our security experience shortened for good?
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London Gatwick
Speaking to the Mirror, London Gatwick says it has made ‘significant progress’ when it comes to installing ‘state of the art, next-generation security scanners’. It expects to have completed what it describes as a ‘major logistical operation’ to install all scanners across both the North and South Terminals in Q1 this year.
“The airport’s investment in this new technology means once the new scanners are phased in, the security process will be transformed with passengers no longer required to remove electrical items or put liquids in plastic bags,” a spokesperson added. “The new scanners will provide high-quality X-ray images of cabin bags, with the safety of passengers the airport’s highest priority.”
Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted Airports
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) – which owns Manchester, East Midlands, and Stansted Airport, also noted ‘good progress’. “This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction,” a MAG spokesperson told us.
“We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports. 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.” MAG confirmed that it already has the new scanners in place on a ‘large number of lanes’ and expects full completion of the programme this year.
London Heathrow
While Heathrow Airport did not wish to provide comment on its new security scanners, it ensured the Mirror it is making good progress and working with the government to meet timelines. No exact numbers were shared due to security reasons.
The Mirror has contacted the Department for Transport to enquire whether a new deadline for the security scanners has been set.
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