Airport safety liquid rule change delayed – once more – as scanners aren’t prepared | EUROtoday

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New safety scanners that save passengers having to take liquids out of their hand baggage have been delayed by as much as a 12 months as a result of some airports are falling behind.

The authorities has admitted that extensions have been granted to a number of massive airports unable to satisfy its 1 June deadline to completely set up the brand new expertise.

The Department for Transport didn’t say which operators had been given the extensions, but it surely mentioned it could wonderful those that missed the ultimate goal, of June 2025.

London City was Britain’s first main airport to introduce the units, which permit passengers to take as much as two litres of liquid of their hand baggage – ending the trouble of small 100ml containers that have to be eliminated and positioned in clear plastic baggage.

Heathrow has beforehand mentioned it expects to have new scanners in all safety lanes this summer time, whereas Gatwick expects to finish the programme by the top of March subsequent 12 months.

Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, mentioned its scanners gained’t be absolutely rolled out till 2025.

The DfT mentioned post-Covid provide chain points meant checkpoints couldn’t be upgraded forward of the deadline, which had already been prolonged from 2022 due to the pandemic.

Extensions have been given “on a case-by-case basis,” it mentioned.

“It’s important we give those airports yet to meet the deadline a second chance to get the job done,” mentioned transport secretary Mark Harper. “Until they do, passengers should continue to check before travelling.

“We recognise that installing the new security equipment at busy airports has been a logistical challenge, with some airports having to undertake significant construction work to allow the new, extremely heavy equipment to be fitted. In some cases, airports have been required to construct entirely new screening halls.”

Restrictions for liquids have been launched in 2006 following a foiled terror plot to explode planes flying from London to the US with selfmade liquid bombs. Travellers failing to stick to them is among the largest causes of delays at airport safety checks.

Karen Dee, chief government of the Airport Operators Association, claimed airports have been “making excellent progress” in putting in the brand new machines, which value a number of million kilos.

“As with any programme of this complexity, there are important challenges, and we’re pleased the federal government has recognised these and agreed to increase timeframes for supply the place essential,” she added.