In a significant move that promises to transform the airport experience, Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, has completed the rollout of state-of-the-art CT scanners, allowing passengers to leave liquids and electronics in their bags while going through security.
The new high-tech scanners, which provide enhanced image quality of cabin bags, have enabled Heathrow to become the largest airport in the world to scrap the restrictive 100ml limit on liquid containers. Passengers can now carry liquids in containers up to two litres in their bags, a significant increase from the previous rules.
The £1 billion upgrade, which has been in the works for several years, is expected to streamline the security process and reduce the time passengers spend preparing for their journeys. Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the changes will allow passengers to “spend less time preparing for security and more time enjoying their journey.”
The move comes after a series of setbacks in the rollout of the new scanners across the UK. In 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had promised to scrap the 100ml liquid rule by the end of 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately derailed those plans. The government then set a new deadline of June 2024 for the installation of the state-of-the-art scanning equipment, but this target proved unachievable for the largest airports.
Despite the delays, Heathrow has now become the first major international airport to fully implement the new security measures. This puts it ahead of other major hubs, such as Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham, which have also upgraded their security systems in recent years and increased the liquid container limit to two litres.
The rule change, however, only applies to flights departing from Heathrow. Passengers must still check the restrictions on their luggage at the airports they are returning from before boarding flights to the UK, as the European Union has also announced a reversion to the 100ml rule.
The introduction of the new CT scanners and the relaxation of the liquid restrictions mark a significant milestone in the evolution of airport security. Heathrow’s achievement in becoming the world’s largest airport to implement these changes is a testament to the ongoing efforts to enhance the passenger experience while maintaining high safety and security standards.
