Revolutionary plans to cut down airport queues and speed up how quickly we get through security has been delayed yet again.
It has now been five years since the UK Government announced plans to dramatically change the airport security experience for everyone heading through the country's airports.
Concerning liquids in hand luggage, the plans mean that you no longer will need to abide by the current 100ml limit placed upon liquids you're bringing through security.
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It also means an end to the annoying plastic bags you have to fit all your 100ml belongings in.
There was good reason behind the introduction of the rule, though, following a 2006 foiled terror plot to blow up planes flying from London to the USA with homemade liquid bombs.
Instead, two litres of liquid will be allowed in hand luggage due to the new technology that is set to revolutionise travel in the UK.
Why have the new rules been delayed?
Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially set a deadline of December 2022 for all airports to bring in the change. But with the Covid-19 pandemic, things naturally came to a halt.
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As a result, Transport Secretary Mark Harper set a new deadline of 1 June this year. But Mr Harper has now pushed this deadline back once again.
It has been reported that many of the UK's airports have been struggling to install the scanners ahead of the summer holiday period, where demand on aviation hubs will reach its annual peak.
The blame has been largely put down to supply chain delays and construction difficulties caused by the weight of the machines.
What's the deadline now, then?
As a result, the deadline is now 1 June, 2025. But for many travelling this summer, they will still be in place. Roughly half of the country's airports have installed the quicker security systems.
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Mr Harper said: “These cutting-edge scanners will make air travel safer and easier for passengers by strengthening security even further.
“The UK is leading the world with its rollout of this technology, but it’s important we give those airports yet to meet the deadline a second chance to get the job done.
“Until they do, passengers should continue to check before travelling.”
Which airports don't have the scanners?
As of now, they are yet to be fully rolled out across Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands, and London Stansted airports.
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Heathrow has previously said it expects to have new scanners in all security lanes this summer, while Gatwick expects to complete the programme by the end of March next year.
Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, said its scanners will be fully rolled out in 2025.
Which airports already have the scanners?
London City become the UK’s first major airport to begin using the new scanners for all passengers in April last year.
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Teesside Airport also has the new tech in place for its passengers.
They use something called 'computed tomography' to scan hi-resolution images of what is in bags, meaning liquids can be of a larger quantity.
What have the experts said?
Naomi Leach, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “Passengers should have been looking forward to a more efficient security process at the UK’s biggest airports this summer.
"Instead, with different rules and processes now likely to apply at different airports, the ensuing confusion could lead to further delays.
“It’s imperative that these changes are made as quickly as possible and that the rules at different airports are communicated clearly to passengers in the meantime. Those airports that have failed to install the scanners in time should not increase passenger fees this year – this would be impossible to justify when this key improvement to the passenger experience has not been made.”
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