An end to the ban on liquids in hand luggage at the airport

19-12-22

New 3D scanners, already tested in the UK, the Netherlands, Finland and the US, make it unnecessary to remove electronic devices from suitcases and allow liquids to be carried in.

Stansted Airport - one of London's five airports - has in recent months been testing new security equipment that could change the traveller experience. And the authorities have already given the go-ahead to its results. Mark Harper, the UK's secretary of state for transport, said last Thursday he wanted to simplify checks for travellers with new legislation that means the 100ml liquid restriction will be lifted. Containers of up to two litres will be allowed.

The announced changes will also allow people to pass through security without removing toiletries and large electrical items from their suitcases or backpacks. It should be remembered that, until now, most airports have not allowed liquids, creams or toothpaste in containers larger than 100ml.

In the case of Great Britain, a deadline of June 2024 will be set for airports to update security scanners. But the trend is global, with examples at Amsterdam Schiphol or Helsinki, where liquids and laptop no longer have to be separated from luggage. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also tested the new devices at fifteen airports, including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego and Chicago.

The new CT baggage scanners generate a reliable and secure 3D image. According to the companies that manufacture these new devices, they are "a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner that produces high-resolution volumetric 3D images to speed up baggage screening, using both visual inspection by the operator and automatic object recognition, resulting in low false alarm rates".

For the passenger, the most important thing is that, with this scanner, there is no need to remove electronic devices or liquids from the baggage. This speeds up transit and will likely reduce queues.

"Due to the improved scanning technology, it will be increasingly rare that bags will need to be opened for closer examination. This will speed up the security screening process and make it more convenient," Finavia's vice president for airport development Sami Kiiskinen said in March.

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