Confusion concern raised as Birmingham and Edinburgh airports lift 100ml liquids restriction

The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh and Birmingham airports for the first time since it was introduced in 2006.

 

The changes follow the installation of new security X-ray scanners but has come with an industry warning of potential confusion for passengers ahead of the summer peak due to different rules at other airports.

 

Passengers departing from Birmingham and Edinburgh airports will be able to keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each.

 

Edinburgh airport, now part of the Vinci Airports network, is the first in Scotland to lift the rule.

 

The busiest airport in Scotland follows Birmingham airport which relaxed the liquids restriction last week following what it described as a change in rules made by the government.

 

“There is no limit on how many two litre containers can be carried and these do not need to be in plastic bags,” a Birmingham airport statement on X said.

 

“Passengers travelling through other airports, or returning to Birmingham airport from destination airports, should check the rules for each port.”    

 

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said told The Times: “Removing the 100ml liquid rules for passengers is a positive step forward for air travel, however having individual airports set their own timelines on lifting the restrictions is likely to cause confusion to travellers this summer and will result in delays.

 

“The slow roll out has already led to confusion and frustration and travellers are likely to be tripped up if the rules continue to change at short notice and vary for different airports.

 

“It is clear that all airports are not ready to introduce these new rules at the same time, and we would encourage all UK airports collectively to work with government to ensure there is very clear messaging around the rules, to avoid confusion and delays wherever possible.”

 

Southampton airport announced in May that multiple liquids up to 100ml can be taken through as hand luggage after new scanners became operational. 

  

Passengers can also keep electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, in their hand baggage during screening. Other airports have adopted a similar procedure. 

 

Eight new scanners have been installed ar Edinburgh airport as part of a £24 million scheme to transform the security process. 

 

Large electrical items, such as iPads, tablets and laptops, can remain in bags, and liquids in containers up to two litres can now also be kept inside.

 

Edinburgh airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said: “This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team – we are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone.

 

“A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.

 

“The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology.

 

"But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.”