In what it said would be "the biggest shake-up of airport security rules in decades", the British government set airports a June 2024 deadline to end the 100 ml limit on liquids in carry-on bags and the need for passengers to remove computers from luggage while en route through security checks.
Airports will have to "install new security technology" to make the changes possible, the Department of Transport announced, saying the proposed systems had being tested domestically since 2018 and have been implemented at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam and in several US terminals.
Christopher Snelling, policy director at The Airport Operators Association (AOA), said the changes would mean "a great step forward for UK air travel".
"Passengers will be able to leave liquids and large electrical items in cabin luggage as they go through security, reducing hassle for passengers", the department said in a statement, adding the liquid limit, which was imposed in 2006, would be lifted to 2 litres.
"Not only will it mean greater convenience for travellers – as people will no longer need to spend time taking items out of their bags – but it will also enhance passenger safety, as security staff will have more detailed images of what people are carrying", the department added, ahead of the tabling of enabling legislation on December 15 2022.
"I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security", transport secretary Mark Harper said, with the caveat that "this won’t happen straight away – this is going to take two years to be fully implemented".