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14 August 2006
Following the downgrading of the terrorism threat level from Critical to Severe the security measures affecting hand baggage for passengers travelling through UK airports have eased.
The reduced security measures
Hand baggage ban lifted, though some restrictions apply
Passengers are now allowed to carry one item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point.
The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) including wheels, handles, side pockets, etc.
Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be screened by X-ray.
No liquids
No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:
- prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic
- baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger)
The definition of liquids includes:
- gels
- pastes
- lotions
- liquid/solid mixtures
- the contents of pressurised containers, eg. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc.
To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (eg, bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers, etc) in their cabin baggage.
X-ray screening
All laptops and large electrical items (eg, large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray, so that when the cabin baggage is x-ray screened, these items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.
Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must also be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.
Flying to the USA
In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the US and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.
Queues likely to remain for some time
Although hand luggage security restrictions have relaxed, passengers are still advised to arrive early to check in for their flights, to ensure thery leave plenty of time to pass through security search points.
Security measures remain under review
The Department for Transport says it will work closely with operators to introduce these new arrangements, seeking to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum. It will keep these measures under review.
If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact the airport or their airline.
