Carrying liquids on planes will no longer be prohibited

Airports are planning to abolish the “100 ml” rule for liquids in hand luggage, and the need to present it when taking it out of a bag will disappear – new scanners will do this perfectly.

About it tells Euronews, claiming that restrictions are already being lifted at some airports. The authorities have finally come to the conclusion that flights in this case will not become less reliable, and there are many advantages from the abolition of previously introduced measures. First of all, saving time and money. High-tech CT scanners will eliminate the 100ml fluid rule, simplifying security checks and significantly reducing queue times.

Let’s remember that the 100 ml rule was introduced back in 2006, it stated that airline passengers around the world have the right to carry liquids with a volume of no more than 100 ml in hand luggage. It was introduced after British police uncovered a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks on a number of transatlantic flights.

The investigation found that the conspirators intended to assemble and detonate the device during the flight by pouring hydrogen peroxide and other substances into 500 ml soda bottles and leaving the caps sealed. Do not forget that when mixed with other ingredients to a certain concentration, even ordinary bleach can become an explosive.

If not for the vigilance of law enforcement, if the plot had succeeded, experts say it would have been more deadly than the September 11 attacks. The terrorists were to target several flights from the UK to five US airports and two Canadian airports.

After the criminal intent was revealed, the notorious rule was introduced: any liquid in hand luggage was completely prohibited. The ban was then relaxed as research showed that 100ml was a safe threshold to carry on board, provided the bottles were checked.

And now, 18 years later, thanks to improved security scanners, the 100 ml liquid rule will be abolished in several countries at once. Using computed tomography technology similar to that used in medicine, the devices provide clear 3D images of the contents of passengers’ bags. And in such detail that the result can be compared to “digital unboxing,” explains the device manufacturer, the Smiths Detection group.

At the same time, repealing the 100 ml liquid rule will not make flights any less safe. The UK Department of Transport, on the contrary, is confident that the new scanners will increase the level of reliability. In addition, the innovation will simplify work at the airport, reduce the time of going through control and make travel more comfortable for passengers.

And as an additional “bonus” – reducing plastic waste. After all, passengers will refuse to use dozens of disposable bottles with a capacity of 100 ml in favor of larger ones. The latest technology will also save money, which is also important, as passengers will be able to take drinks with them without relying on expensive cafes and airport shops.

The new scanners are already in use at Teesside International Airport in County Durham in the UK, Schiphol in Amsterdam and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome. They were tested at London Gatwick and Heathrow. The UK government has set a deadline of June 2024 for the new safety technology to be introduced, although some air hubs believe this will not happen until 2025.

Once the scanners are installed, the 100ml rule will be phased out over two years. Until then, passengers may not fully experience the time-saving benefits of new technology.

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