The 100ml limit on liquids in cabin baggage, in place since 2006, has officially been lifted at Birmingham and Edinburgh airports in the UK. With this change, passengers departing from either airport can now carry liquid containers of up to two litres through security without needing to separate them in plastic bags, according to a report by The Independent.
The updated rules follow the introduction of next-generation 3D scanners, which allow airport security to scan hand baggage without requiring laptops or liquids to be removed.
Introduced in the wake of a terror plot uncovered in 2006, the 100ml rule was initially described as a temporary measure. It restricted passengers to carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels in containers no larger than 100ml, all packed into a single transparent bag. Over the years, it became one of the most recognised travel regulations worldwide.
The UK government had earlier announced plans to roll out new scanner technology across all major airports by June 2024. However, delays at several hubs meant the liquid restrictions were reimposed even at some airports equipped with the new systems. Now, with most security lanes upgraded, individual airports can seek clearance from the Department for Transport (DfT) to drop the 100ml restriction.
Edinburgh and Birmingham are the first major UK airports to receive DfT approval. Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar said in an official statement, “A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.”
He added that while the change improves convenience, travellers should still confirm rules at their destination or return airport, where older systems may still be in place.
At Birmingham Airport, passengers are now instructed to keep liquids inside their bags and not use plastic bags at all. Both airports expect the move to ease congestion at security and enhance passenger experience without compromising safety.
Together, Birmingham and Edinburgh airports handle over 27 million passengers annually. They rank as the UK’s sixth and seventh busiest airports, respectively.
Other UK airports, including Aberdeen, Bristol, London City, Newcastle, and Teesside, are expected to implement similar changes soon. However, larger hubs such as Heathrow and Manchester are maintaining the 100ml rule for now. Manchester Airport, for instance, is holding off installing new scanners at Terminal 3, which is scheduled for demolition.
Across Europe, the 100ml rule was reintroduced in September 2024 at all airports within the EU and Schengen Area due to concerns about the reliability of newly installed scanning equipment.
The updated rules follow the introduction of next-generation 3D scanners, which allow airport security to scan hand baggage without requiring laptops or liquids to be removed.
Introduced in the wake of a terror plot uncovered in 2006, the 100ml rule was initially described as a temporary measure. It restricted passengers to carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels in containers no larger than 100ml, all packed into a single transparent bag. Over the years, it became one of the most recognised travel regulations worldwide.
The UK government had earlier announced plans to roll out new scanner technology across all major airports by June 2024. However, delays at several hubs meant the liquid restrictions were reimposed even at some airports equipped with the new systems. Now, with most security lanes upgraded, individual airports can seek clearance from the Department for Transport (DfT) to drop the 100ml restriction.
Edinburgh and Birmingham are the first major UK airports to receive DfT approval. Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar said in an official statement, “A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.”
He added that while the change improves convenience, travellers should still confirm rules at their destination or return airport, where older systems may still be in place.
At Birmingham Airport, passengers are now instructed to keep liquids inside their bags and not use plastic bags at all. Both airports expect the move to ease congestion at security and enhance passenger experience without compromising safety.
Together, Birmingham and Edinburgh airports handle over 27 million passengers annually. They rank as the UK’s sixth and seventh busiest airports, respectively.
Other UK airports, including Aberdeen, Bristol, London City, Newcastle, and Teesside, are expected to implement similar changes soon. However, larger hubs such as Heathrow and Manchester are maintaining the 100ml rule for now. Manchester Airport, for instance, is holding off installing new scanners at Terminal 3, which is scheduled for demolition.
Across Europe, the 100ml rule was reintroduced in September 2024 at all airports within the EU and Schengen Area due to concerns about the reliability of newly installed scanning equipment.
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