Logistical Challenges Force Some U.K. Airports to Extend Liquid Carry-On Rule Deadline

The era of taking liquids out of carry-ons before traveling through airports in the U.K. is going to stick a little while longer. At least at some of that country’s busiest airports.

The U.K. government this week granted extensions to a few of its busiest airports that are not able to meet the government’s June 1 deadline for the installation of new security scanners that would allow passengers to avoid taking liquids out of their carry-ons, and allow airports to scrap the liquid rule altogether.

While the U.K. Department of Transport did not specify which airports would get the extensions, the BBC on Thursday named London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Manchester International as three of the airports that won’t be ready for the June 1 deadline.

The extension was granted because of logistical challenges, including having to construct entirely new screening halls for the new scanners.

“As with any program of this complexity, there are significant challenges, and we are happy the government has recognized these and agreed to extend timeframes for delivery where necessary,” Karen Dee, the chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, which represents the U.K.’s airports, said.

Still, the transition to traveling without that liquid rule is well underway and the U.K. government said that airports that aren’t able to make the final target in June 2025 will be fined.

“Government [will consider] serious financial penalties for any who continue to lag behind their new deadlines,” the U.K’s Department of Transport said.

The move was first announced in 2018 when the new technology became available. According to the U.K. Department of Transport, the new scanners detect “prohibited items with great accuracy,” which would allow travelers to take fewer items out of their carry-ons and security. That includes liquids, which had previously been limited to 100ml.

The U.K. announced that the adoption of the new scanners would be mandatory, and set a June 1, 2024 deadline at the end of 2022. Some airports, including London City, Birmingham, and Newcastle, have already installed the scanners and dropped the liquid carry-on rule.

No word yet on when or if the technology will find its way into North American airports, but both the U.S. and Canadian governments are dedicating resources to making the airport security process smoother for travelers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for one, is trialing a self-service screening option at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) launched its Verified Traveller program last year which allows some consumers to keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on while going through screening.