Many airline passengers say the worst part of any journey is the airport security check. Worldwide, an average of half a million people pass through airport security every hour. Travellers resent the limit on LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels) in cabin baggage, as well as the obligation to extract electronics such as laptops and tablets from hand luggage.
The liquids rules were introduced hastily worldwide in 2006 as “a temporary measure” to protect against explosives. Despite repeated promises they remain in place.
In 2019 Boris Johnson vowed the rules would be eased at major UK airports by 2022, allowing larger quantities and eliminating the need to have liquids separately scanned. Rishi Sunak’s government then extended that deadline to 1 June 2024.
While some of the UK’s airports complied, at other locations the work was not fast enough to meet the deadline. And in any event, a week after the deadline, progress in aviation security actually went into reverse, with the Department for Transport (DfT) ordering airports with the new equipment to restore the old 100ml limit on LAGs.
After a year of imposing the old rules once again, from July 2025 some key British airports are removing the 100ml limit. But just because the airport you departed from allows liquids up to two litres, don’t assume you can do the same on the homebound flight.
In addition, passengers can leave laptops, tablets and liquids inside their cabin baggage where the new scanners are fitted.
Simon Calder, former security officer at Gatwick airport and current Independent travel correspondent, explains more.
Cabin baggage: what are the rules?
The list of items that cannot be taken through an airport security checkpoints in carry-on bags has increased over the decades. Prohibitions have evolved in reaction to terrorist attacks – successful and otherwise.
All weapons, whether firearms, knives or explosives, are banned from hand luggage. But there are also strict rules about larger quantities of liquids, aerosols, gels, pastes, lotions and cosmetics, extending even to yoghurt, soft cheese and Creme Eggs.
The UK government says: “If you do take liquids in your hand luggage, at most airports:
- containers must hold no more than 100ml
- containers must be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and…
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