PASSENGERS flying from Heathrow Airport will have to continue to use transparent plastic bags and follow stricter hand luggage liquid rules until mid-2025.
The airport’s plans to update their luggage scanners to newer more advanced models is going to take longer than the deadline set by the Department for Transport (DfT).
GettyHeathrow airport will not meet the government’s deadline for installing new security scanners[/caption]
In December last year, the government told all airports that they had to have the new scanners in place by mid-2024.
But it now looks like Heathrow is going to miss that date by as much as a year with Bloomberg reporting that structural problems at the airport are causing delays.
They suggest that the new machines are far heavier, which means that some of Heathrow‘s screening areas will need to have their flooring reinforced before they can be installed.
The airport said it is working alongside the government on timelines, while also investing both a huge amount of energy and £1billion into taking out the current security lanes.
Keeping their current security operation flowing and ensuring that passengers have a smooth security experience during the transition is causing further headaches for Heathrow, as is the number of scanners they have to replace.
Heathrow has more security lanes than any other airport in the UK, making the task much more difficult.
Some of the advanced scanners are already in place at Heathrow, in both terminals two and five.
However, getting the rest of the airport updated is proving to be much more problematic.
Sun Online Travel also approached the DfT, who declined to comment.
Once in place, the new high-tech scanners will prevent passengers from having to take electronic items like laptops and tablets out of their bags while passing through the security gates.
A more relaxed approach to liquids is also permitted by the new CT scanners, with people able to take as much as two litres in their carry-on, without having to remove it to be scanned.
Other airports have already completed their transition to the new system, with Teesside the first in the UK to have them fully installed.
Last month, the airport was named the country’s best small airport, with its new system impressing passengers and cutting down waiting times at security.
London City airport followed not long after, as transport hubs got to work ahead of the deadline.
Just last month Leeds Bradford said that their new scanners would be completely installed by February 2024.
Meanwhile, this sneaky airport rule means passengers get their liquids confiscated, even if they’re under 100ml.
And this is why you should never wear trainers when travelling to the airport.
GettyPassengers will have to stick to strict hand luggage liquid rules until mid-2025[/caption]