The ‘positive change’ for passengers comes as new 3D scanning technology is introduced
Travellers flying from London Gatwick Airport can now keep their liquids and electronic devices in their hand luggage when passing through security, thanks to the installation of cutting-edge computed tomography (CT) 3D scanning machines.
The airport has confirmed that passengers will no longer need to remove laptops, tablets, or liquids from their bags as they move through security. However, while liquids no longer need to be placed in a separate plastic bag, the existing 100ml liquid limit remains in place.
The change, implemented ahead of the Easter holiday rush, is expected to significantly streamline security checks, reducing queues and improving the overall passenger experience.
‘A positive change for passengers’
Cyrus Dana, Head of Security at Gatwick Airport, described the development as a major improvement for travellers, saying:
“More than 95% of passengers already pass through security at Gatwick in under five minutes. As we continue to grow, our top priority is the safety of our passengers and the security of the airport.”
“This cutting-edge technology ensures a safe and robust experience for our passengers.”
The new CT scanners create detailed 3D images of luggage contents, allowing security staff to better detect potential threats without requiring passengers to remove items from their bags. This is expected to make security procedures faster and more efficient, particularly during peak travel periods.
Other UK airports have already made the change
Gatwick joins a growing number of UK airports that have already introduced the new liquid rules, including:
- London City Airport
- Luton Airport
- Birmingham Airport
- Bristol Airport
- Southend Airport
These airports have all implemented next-generation CT scanning technology, allowing them to relax the outdated rules that have been in place since 2006.
What travellers need to know
While the new scanners remove the need for liquids to be placed in separate clear plastic bags, passengers must still ensure that no single liquid container exceeds 100ml.
Additionally, Gatwick Airport has issued a warning for passengers travelling abroad, as many international airports have not yet upgraded to the new technology.
“Passengers should be aware that many airports around the world have not yet introduced the new scanning technology,” a Gatwick spokesperson said.
“Therefore, the one-litre clear plastic bag rule and 100ml liquid container limit may still apply when returning from other destinations.”
A long-awaited security upgrade
The 100ml liquid restriction was first introduced nearly two decades ago, following an attempted terrorist attack in 2006. The ban was put in place after a plot involving liquid explosives was uncovered, leading to strict hand luggage rules worldwide.
In recent years, advancements in scanning technology have made it possible to relax these restrictions, with CT 3D scanners capable of detecting liquids and explosives inside luggage without the need for manual checks.
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The UK government had initially set a June 2024 deadline for all major airports to install CT scanners and lift the 100ml liquid limit entirely. However, delays in implementation mean that the full relaxation of the rules is not yet in place.
What this means for easter travellers
With millions of Britons preparing to jet off for Easter holidays, the timing of this rule change could not be better for those flying from Gatwick.
Passengers will now experience a smoother, quicker security process, allowing them to spend less time at security checkpoints and more time enjoying their journey.
As Gatwick continues to roll out the new scanning technology across all terminals, the airport expects to see even further reductions in queue times, ensuring a more seamless experience for all travellers.
For now, passengers flying to destinations that still enforce the 100ml rule should prepare for different rules on their return journey. However, as more airports worldwide adopt CT scanning technology, it is expected that these restrictions will eventually be lifted globally.
