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Scrapping of airport liquid ban delayed for another year
London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports are all expected to miss the 1 June deadline for installing the necessary scanners that would allow for the removal of the 100ml liquid restriction.
It’s likely that airline passengers will be forced to continue adhering to the 100ml liquid limit in their hand luggage until June 2025 as major UK airports fall short of the deadline to install vital tech.
Some airports have applied for a year-long extension to add the CT X-ray scanning machinery, though other smaller airports including Luton, London City and Teeside have succeeded in meeting the 1 June deadline.
This latest delay is the second time the transition has been slowed, with the original timeline for installing the scanners scheduled for 2022. The UK Government then approved an extension until June 2023, with this also likely to be missed by larger airports.
“As with any programme of this complexity, there are significant challenges, and we are happy the government has recognised these, and agreed to extend timeframes for delivery where necessary,” said Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association.
However, the Department for Transport has said it will issue financial penalties for airports that consistently miss the deadlines.
One of the reasons cited for the hold-up is the requirement for some airport floors to be reinforced to be able to support the heavy scanners.
In July last year db reported that Edinburgh Airport had taken delivery of the new scanning equipment and were embarking on the installation.
Once the technology is rolled out worldwide it could be transformative for the global travel retail (GTR) sector, with more travellers able to transport bottles home in their hand luggage, rather than having to stash it in the hold.
It may also spell good news for wine tourism as holidaymakers may be more inclined to pick up a bottle at a producer’s cellar door if they don’t have to find space for it in their suitcase.
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