Airport security liquid rule change delayed – again – as scanners aren’t ready

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New security scanners that save passengers having to take liquids out of their hand baggage have been delayed by as much as a 12 months as a result of some airports are falling behind.

The authorities has admitted that extensions have been granted to a number of massive airports unable to satisfy its 1 June deadline to completely set up the brand new technology.

The Department for Transport didn’t say which operators had been given the extensions, nevertheless it stated it might high-quality those that missed the ultimate goal, of June 2025.

London City was Britain’s first main airport to introduce the gadgets, which permit passengers to take as much as two litres of liquid of their hand baggage – ending the trouble of small 100ml containers that have to be eliminated and positioned in clear plastic luggage.

Heathrow has beforehand stated it expects to have new scanners in all security lanes this summer season, whereas Gatwick expects to finish the programme by the top of March subsequent 12 months.

Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, stated its scanners gained’t be totally rolled out till 2025.

The DfT stated post-Covid provide chain points meant checkpoints couldn’t be upgraded forward of the deadline, which had already been prolonged from 2022 due to the pandemic.

Extensions have been given “on a case-by-case basis,” it stated.

“It’s important we give those airports yet to meet the deadline a second chance to get the job done,” stated transport secretary Mark Harper. “Until they do, passengers should continue to check before travelling.

“We recognise that installing the new security equipment at busy airports has been a logistical challenge, with some airports having to undertake significant construction work to allow the new, extremely heavy equipment to be fitted. In some cases, airports have been required to construct entirely new screening halls.”

Restrictions for liquids have been launched in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to explode planes flying from London to the US with selfmade liquid bombs. Travellers failing to stick to them is among the largest causes of delays at airport security checks.

Karen Dee, chief government of the Airport Operators Association, claimed airports have been “making excellent progress” in putting in the brand new machines, which value a number of million kilos.

“As with any programme of this complexity, there are important challenges, and we’re completely satisfied the federal government has recognised these and agreed to increase timeframes for supply the place essential,” she added.