London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Oct 02, 2026

London airport becomes first in UK to scrap 100ml liquids rule in hand luggage

London airport becomes first in UK to scrap 100ml liquids rule in hand luggage

London City Airport has scrapped the 100ml liquid limits rule in hand luggage just in time for the Easter school holidays.

The east London airport will be the first in the UK to make the changes to the restrictions, which have been in place since 2006.

This is thanks to new high-tech CT machines, similar to ones used in hospitals, which will replace old scanners.

They’re able to produce a high-resolution 3D scan of passengers’ bags, meaning staff can easily inspect them from all angles.

Instead of 100ml, the liquid limit will now be two litres in hand luggage.

Passengers will also no longer have to place creams and cosmetic items in a plastic bag when going through security.

This also applies to laptops in the new scheme, which won’t need to be removed from flyers’ bags to be scanned separately.

The east London airport will introduce the new scanners in the coming weeks


The airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair noted the tech would help speed up lengthy security queues.

He said: ‘The good news for anyone planning a holiday or a business trip is that we will be the first mainstream UK airport to offer a fully CT security experience from the end of this month.

The new lanes will not only cut hassle but also queuing times, which I know passengers will love.’

A spokesperson added to Metro.co.uk: ‘We’re very pleased that the new machines in operation now and have our full compliment of 4 in place ahead of the Easter getaway.’

The new machines and liquid rules are set to be rolled out across all major UK airports in the months to come.

The 100ml hand luggage rule will soon be scrapped

Transport secretary Mark Harper outlined new plans back in December 2022


The government announced in December 2022 a deadline of June 2024 to get the new technology set up.

Transport secretary Mark Harper said at the time: ‘The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change.

‘I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.

‘By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security tech installed, reducing queuing times, improving the passenger experience, and most importantly detecting potential threats.’

Trials of the new and improved scanners have been underway at some of the UK’s busiest airports since 2018.

This has included Terminal 3 in London Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.

The 100ml rule was first brought in to UK airports back in 2006 after a foiled terror attack plot using liquid explosives at Heathrow.

The plan was to bring hydrogen peroxide-derived explosives onto transatlantic planes inside soft drink bottles.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Scottish Court to Rule on Bid to Force No-Confidence Vote Against Aberdeen Council Co-Leader
UK Bans Extra Charges for Seating Children Under 12 Beside Accompanying Adults
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and New Licensing Requirements
Greggs to Close Four UK Factories and Cut 740 Jobs
Hundreds of Prisoners Released Early as England and Wales Prisons Reach 98% Capacity
UK Unveils New Russia Sanctions Targeting War Funding and Shadow Fleet
Burnham Says There Are Strong Indications of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Security Breach
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Raises Prospect of Reviewing Britain's Post-Brexit EU Relationship
Markets Price in Bank of England Rate Increases as Inflation Rises to 3.1%
UK Borrowing Costs Climb Toward 5.5% as Global Bond Sell-Off Intensifies
UK-France One-In-One-Out Migration Agreement Expires as London Seeks Alternative Measures
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
Scottish Government Proposes Replacing 32 Councils With Larger Regional Authorities
Ofgem Raises UK Household Energy Price Cap by 4% From October
UK Counter-Terrorism Police Continue Investigation After Five Arrests Near RAF Fairford
OECD Cuts UK 2027 Growth Forecast to 1%
Labour Says State Pension Triple Lock Remains Protected Through Current Parliament
Andy Burnham Pledges National Care Service With Free Social Care in England
Six Flags Permanently Shuts Landmark X2 Roller Coaster Following Safety Scandals
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
Aldi Commits £900 Million to Expand UK Supermarket Network
Scottish Affairs Committee Warns Skills Shortages Threaten Defence Sector Expansion
Parliamentary Committee Warns Northern Ireland Budget Deadlock is Stalling Economic Growth
NHS Hospitals in England Face Severe Shortages of Essential Medications
Home Secretary Signals Major Overhaul of UK Immigration and Leave to Remain Policies
Chancellor Promises New Job Schemes Alongside Strict Fiscal Discipline
Energy Secretary Proposes Taxpayer-Funded Green Transition and National Electricity Grid
UK Government to Renationalise Avanti West Coast Railway Franchise in March
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Pledges Major Social Care and Infrastructure Reforms
Five Suspects Released on Bail Following Alleged Bomb Plot Near RAF Fairford
UK Diesel Prices Hit Record High of 199p Per Litre
Transport for Wales and Network Rail Complete Electrification of South Wales Metro
Defra Expands Incentives for Sustainable Farming and Biodiversity in England
Northern Ireland Executive Approves Funding Package to Resolve Public Sector Pay Disputes
Universities UK Warns of Financial Insolvency Risks for Higher Education Institutions
UK Prisons Activate Emergency Protocols to Manage Capacity Pressures
×