New travel rules as Bristol Airport makes major security change

Bristol Airport is the latest UK airport to axe the 100ml liquid hand luggage rule. The airport says it has invested £11.5 million in next generation security scanners.

There were reports of long queues at the airport on Friday as the new scanners were used for the first time, but passengers on Saturday said there were no delays with one saying he had “done a personal best through security”.

The new rules mean that all customers travelling through security will have the ability to keep mobile phones, laptops and liquids in their hand luggage. Airport bosses have said that all passengers flying from Bristol Airport from June 14, 2024 will benefit from the new enhanced technology and processes.

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Passengers no longer have to restrict toiletries and liquids to 100ml bottles and will be able to leave laptops, tablets and mobile phones in their hand luggage as they pass through security screening. The rules do mean, however, that only liquids up to 330ml can be carried.

The new security regulations mean:

• Keep all items in hand luggage bag including liquids up to 330ml (max. size)
• Mobile phones, electrical items and laptops to remain in bag
• You must empty pockets into bag
• Contents of metal water bottles will need to be emptied

Graeme Gamble, chief operating officer, Bristol Airport said: “We are delighted all customers travelling from Bristol Airport will benefit from state-of-the-art technology being introduced at security. The new equipment will reduce customer stress and inconvenience as the need for 100ml liquids to be placed in clear, plastic bags and removed from hand baggage will no longer be required. The new process delivers a much more customer friendly security operation using the latest technology and providing enhanced screening, allowing customers to keep personal items in their hand luggage.”

He added: “We’ve invested over £11.5m in the security equipment enhancements, and as with all complex and large-scale projects in a 24 hours, seven day a week operation, we needed to have a phased approach to the introduction of the new equipment and processes. However, customers should be reminded there are no immediate changes to the rules governing what can be taken through security as a result of this initiative, and the current hand luggage restrictions remain in place until June 14, 2024.”

The airport has also upgraded the fast track security channel. Bristol Airport is investing over £400m in customer enhancements over the next five years, including a new public transport interchange, additional multi-storey car park, new retail and catering areas and other customer improvements.

Some smaller airports – London City, in the Docklands, Newcastle and Teesside Airport in Darlington – have already installed the new technology, but the vast majority are yet to.

There have been teething problems at Birmingham Airport with long queues reported and pictured.H olidaymakers have been told to arrive up to four hours before their flights amid confusion over the 100ml liquid rule.

Tui passengers travelling on long haul flights have been advised to check in between three to four hours ahead of their expected departure time after huge queues began forming all the way outside the airport yet again. Some have been queueing at the airport since as early as 4am in the hopes of catching their flights on time following days of chaos.

Cardiff Airport has said that the new equipment is being delivered later this year.

Spencer Birns, CEO of Cardiff Wales Airport, said: “We are expecting to take delivery of the new equipment later this year and will roll that into our operations accordingly. We are working closely with the DfT to ensure the airport is fully compliant at all times.”

He added: “Safety and security for our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and operations are continuing as normal.