(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sat 24th Jan, 2026) London, UK —
Travel Easier: Heathrow's New CT Scanners End the 100ml Liquid Rule
Travellers at Heathrow, the UK's largest airport, now enjoy a more streamlined security process thanks to the completion of a new high-tech CT scanner installation. This advancement allows passengers to keep liquids in containers of up to two litres within their luggage, a significant increase from the previous 100ml limit, and to leave electronics such as laptops packed away during security checks.
The airport has announced that it's the largest in the world to fully implement such technology across all terminals, marking a milestone in airport security procedures. Despite this achievement, Heathrow wasn't the first in the UK to adopt the new scanners; others including Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham airports have previously made the upgrade, also embracing the two-litre liquid rule.
However, not every airport equipped with the new scanners has been able to lift the 100ml restriction, pending approval from the Department for Transport (DfT). Some locations like Bristol and Belfast have already increased their liquid limits to two litres.
The transition to these more sophisticated scanners hasn't been without its challenges. A recent study by Which? noted an increase in manual bag searches at certain airports due to the heightened sensitivity of the new equipment. Despite this, Heathrow asserts that these scanners deliver superior images of cabin bags, enhancing throughput and security for “thousands of passengers an hour.”
Passengers flying out of Heathrow are reminded that these relaxed restrictions only apply to departures; for return flights to the UK, the luggage restrictions at the originating airports will prevail.
The UK's journey to this point has seen several delays and policy reversals. Originally, a nation-wide abolition of the 100ml liquid rule was promised by Boris Johnson by the end of 2022, a target derailed by the pandemic. The aim was then set for June 2024, though not all major airports could meet this deadline. Unexpectedly, in June 2024, the government also mandated airports that had moved away from the 100ml restriction to reinstate it, leading to frustration among airport operators and a subsequent reversion to the 100ml rule announced by the EU.
Such shifts have caused confusion among passengers and industry stakeholders. Heathrow's CEO, Thomas Woldbye, highlighted that the £1 billion investment in these upgrades significantly reduces the hassle of security preparation for travellers, positioning Heathrow as a leader among the world's busiest airports by eliminating the 100ml liquid rule on international flights.
The DfT affirmed Heathrow's status as the latest UK airport to enhance passenger security process, advising travellers to remain informed of individual airport requirements.
The inconsistent policies across UK airports have sparked calls for unified communication to alleviate passenger confusion. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, urged a collaborative approach between UK airports and the government to streamline messaging and minimize delays.
This substantial shift in airport security measures at Heathrow ushers in a new era of convenience for travellers, amidst ongoing efforts to harmonize rules and expectations across the board.
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