UK Government Grants Extensions for Airports to Install Enhanced Security Technology

The UK government has announced that some airports will be given more time to install security technology that allows travelers to bring larger quantities of liquids onto their flights. However, there will be serious financial penalties for airports that fail to meet the new deadlines. The new scanners were first announced in 2018 and are able to detect prohibited items with greater accuracy, making security processes more efficient and allowing passengers to keep items in their hand luggage.

Due to challenges such as the slow recovery of the global supply chain from the pandemic, some airports have been unable to upgrade their security checkpoints before the June 1, 2024 deadline. Some airports are facing significant construction work to install the new equipment, including reinforcing floors and building entirely new screening halls. The Department for Transport (DfT) has granted extensions to the June 2024 deadline for airports that need to install the new equipment, but passengers should still check security requirements for liquids and large electronic items before traveling.

The responsibility lies with individual airports to install the new technology, and the government is exploring ways to introduce financial penalties for airports that miss the deadlines under the Aviation Security Act. In other news, London City Airport (LCY) has successfully deployed next-generation security scanners, allowing all travelers to pass through security without removing laptops and liquids from their hand luggage.