Airport liquids limits: Why have the EU and UK introduced again the 100ml rule?

Air travellers hoping that the period of “tiny toiletries” was over are in for a giant disappointment as European airports reintroduce strict guidelines on cabin baggage.

Some EU locations abolished the 100ml restrict on liquids carried in hand baggage.

But from Sunday they should convey it again. This follows the same transfer taken by Britain earlier this summer season.

This signifies that when you go on vacation, you may’t purchase a big bottle of suncream, fragrance or native drink earlier than you get to the airport and anticipate to take it dwelling in your baggage.

But why did this occur? And will the looser guidelines launched in some locations ever return?

Airline passengers world wide had change into accustomed to strict 100ml limits on liquids, pastes and gels, which needed to be saved in clear plastic baggage.

But newer scanning machines, which use CT X-ray expertise, theoretically allow better quantities of fluid to go via, and laptops will be stowed away in baggage.

Some EU airports, equivalent to Rome and Amsterdam, have already carried out it and eased their guidelines. Most haven’t carried out so but. Some different airports are testing the brand new expertise.

The European department of Airports Council International (ACI) estimates that round 350 scanners are at present in use in 13 EU international locations: Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden.

However, the EU has reintroduced the 100ml restrict to deal with a technical challenge with new gear.

In July, ACI Europe criticised the ban, calling it “a setback to the passenger experience and a blow to major investments made by airports”.

Its director basic, Olivier Jankovec, mentioned safety was the highest precedence, however added that “those who are the first to adopt this new technology are being heavily penalised, both operationally and financially.”

They additionally argued that banning their use “calls into question the trust and confidence placed by the industry in the current EU certification system for aviation safety equipment”.

It was predicted that each one UK airports would abolish limits on carrying liquids in hand baggage this yr, however this didn’t come true.

The earlier Conservative authorities required state-of-the-art scanning gear to be put in in safety lanes by June 2024.

This has not confirmed to be so easy.

Some regional airports, which have fewer lanes to replace, have reached the June 2024 deadline.

However, cities equivalent to Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester didn’t accomplish that. The causes different from the necessity for development work to provide chain issues. They got extra time to supply new equipment.

But in mid-June the Department for Transport immediately introduced that the 100ml liquid restrict ought to be reintroduced the place it had been eliminated.

Some regional airports have wanted to shortly change their procedures. Airport officers have been indignant Suddenly a U-turn.

The European Commission introduced on the finish of July that the utmost allowed dimension for private liquid containers can be restored to 100ml.

There isn’t any date set for when the foundations can be relaxed once more.

The fee mentioned this was “not in response to a new threat but rather a solution to a temporary technical problem relating to the new generation of scanners.”

It mentioned it was taking this motion “in coordination with the EU's international partners”, and that “rapid technical solutions” can be developed.

The UK authorities had earlier mentioned that programs wanted to be improved after new info emerged.

However, no finish date has been given for the 100ml restrict, so it’s unclear how lengthy it will stay the case.

The Transportation Department mentioned it’s “working with manufacturers, airports and international partners to lift restrictions when possible.”

So for the close to future it’s best for travellers to imagine the previous 100ml restriction stays in place, and verify the foundations at each departure and return airports earlier than travelling.