British Airports Likely to Eliminate the 100ml Limit On Liquids By 2024

By 2024, British airports want to lift the prohibition on liquids exceeding 100ml. The Times reports that visitors flying through UK airports would be permitted to bring beverages, cosmetics, and liquids of any quantity in their carry-on bags.

For the first time in 16 years, due to new technology, travelers will not be required to remove computers and liquids over 100ml from their bags during screening. Luggage will be scanned using specialized CT scanners that provide airport security with a 3D picture of the luggage for inspection. The development of technology will permit the reduction of regulations.

Plans to eliminate the liquid rule might relieve the large lines caused by bag and border control inspections throughout the summer.

John Holland-Kay, CEO of Heathrow Airport, told The Times: “We have just started the expansion of the security area in Terminal 3 which will have more CT scanners and have a deadline of mid-2024 from the DFT. By then the normal passenger experience will be that liquids stay in bags.”

Airport insiders characterize the announcement as a “game-changer” following a summer of airport delays due to luggage and border control inspections. The new technology is anticipated to drastically cut the consumption of plastic at airports and relieve large passenger lines.

However, airport administrators are anxious to warn passengers that the 100ml regulation is still in effect and that contradictory signals may lead up to 2024.

“As the scanners become more commonplace it will be the case that in some lanes passengers are told not to take stuff out their bags while in other lanes they will still need to,” an aviation source said. “The 100ml rule will stay in place until the rollout of the new technology is complete and is a decision for the DfT [Department for Transport].”