Three major airports issue massive update on 100ml liquid rule

The UK's largest airport operator has issued a huge update on 100ml liquid rules that'll hopefully put an end to long, snaking queues.

Currently, four UK airports have already said goodbye to the old 100ml liquid rules that have been a huge burden on travellers for almost two decades since being first introduced as a security measure back in 2006.

Since then, people journeying through these airports could only take liquid through security check if it was capped at 100ml.

All liquids had to also fit in a 20cm by 20cm clear, plastic bag.

Get these wrong and your stuff is put to one side where you're talking, on average, delays of up to 30 minutes to be manually checked by security staff.

A faff for everyone, with it only taking a handful of the thousands of people going through security check getting it wrong to cause big time delays for everyone - until very recently.

For those travelling through Teesside, London City and Newcastle airports this summer, you're in luck with those old 100ml rules a thing of the past.

Instead of having to cap your liquids and fit them all in a clear plastic bag, you can now bring through two litres and it can be scattered throughout your hand luggage, with no need to take it out of the bag.

You can also leave your laptops, tablets and iPads in your bag, too.

Airports are phasing out the 100ml liquid cap (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

All in all, it is a much quicker experience thanks to the new scanners, which use the same tech as hospital scanners and give staff a 3D image of what's in your bag.

Birmingham has the scanners too, but due to 'outstanding regulatory approval', the 100ml rule still applies for the time being.

And now, the UK's largest airport company has revealed its timescale for installing the new security scanners.

Manchester Airport Holdings, known as MAG, runs Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted airports and in a statement to LADbible, a MAG spokesperson revealed how progress is getting on.

According to the company, the new scanners are starting to be installed across new lanes, with physical expansion of the airports also taking place to make room for the scanners.

Many airports restrict hand luggage liquids to 100ml and they must all fit in a 20cm x 20cm sandwich bag (Getty Stock Images)

Overall, MAG says the new scanners will be in place across 'a large number' of security lanes by the end of this month for the 2024 summer season and total completion of the project won't be done until 2025, in line with government guidelines.

A MAG spokesperson told LADbible: "We continue to make good progress at all three of our airports on the introduction of new security screening equipment, as part of the UK-wide programme.

"This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction.

"We are currently rolling out the new technology lane-by-lane at Manchester and London Stansted airports, with several new lanes already in operation.

"Work is also under way on major construction projects at both Manchester and East Midlands airports to expand the size of the terminals to accommodate the new equipment.

Arrivals board at Manchester Airport (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

"This will see the new scanners in place on a large number of our security lanes by June 2024, with the full completion of the programme expected the following year."

Our advice is to check before travelling as there is still no guarantee the 100ml limits will be removed for your journey.

Heathrow declined to comment when approached by LADbible last week on when it will be introducing the scanners to its huge airport.

As it stands, it is understood it will cost the airport around £1 billion to get everything in place.

The airport has a total of 146 security lanes across its four passenger terminals, which is more than all other UK airports having to bring in the same tech.

For the time being, Heathrow passengers should continue to prepare for security as normal.

Liquids in containers up to 100ml should be put in a one litre clear plastic bag, which should be removed from cabin baggage, alongside electrical items and placed in the tray to be processed through security.