Heathrow Airport has become the world’s largest airport to fully scrap the long-standing 100ml liquid limit, after completing a £1 billion upgrade of next-generation security scanners across all passenger terminals.
The move means travellers can now leave liquids, laptops and large electronic devices inside their hand luggage when passing through security, ending one of the most frustrating rituals of air travel. Clear plastic bags for liquids are no longer required, and individual liquid containers can be as large as two litres.
The change has been made possible by the installation of advanced CT security scanners, which generate far more detailed 3D images of bag contents, allowing security staff to detect threats without passengers unpacking items.
Heathrow said it is the first airport of its size anywhere in the world to deploy the technology for all departing passengers.
A number of other UK airports, including Birmingham Airport, Bristol Airport, Gatwick Airport and Edinburgh Airport, have also completed full rollouts of the new scanners. Gatwick announced last April that passengers would no longer need to remove electrical items or liquids from their bags.
Some airports, including London City Airport, Luton Airport and Teesside Airport, have introduced the scanners but are still operating a 100ml liquid cap while awaiting final regulatory approval for the systems in use.
The original liquid restrictions were introduced in 2006 after a foiled terror plot involving liquid explosives on transatlantic flights from London to the United States. Since then, passengers have been required to carry liquids of no more than 100ml in clear plastic bags and remove large electronic devices such as laptops and tablets at security.
Failure to follow those rules has been one of the biggest causes of security delays at UK airports, particularly during peak travel periods.
Heathrow estimates that the new system will eliminate the need for almost 16 million single-use plastic bags each year, delivering both operational and environmental benefits.
Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the change marked a major step forward for the passenger experience.
“Every Heathrow passenger can now leave their liquids and laptops in their bags at security as we become the largest airport in the world to roll out the latest scanning technology,” he said. “That means less time preparing for security and more time enjoying the journey, and millions fewer single-use plastic bags.
“This billion-pound investment ensures customers can be confident they will continue to have a great experience at Heathrow.”
The rollout has been years in the making. A deadline of December 2022 for major UK airports to introduce the scanners was first set in 2019 under then-prime minister Boris Johnson. Following disruption caused by the pandemic, the deadline was pushed back to June 2024 by former transport secretary Mark Harper, with some airports granted extensions due to supply chain delays.
With Heathrow now fully compliant, the end of the 100ml rule is expected to become the norm across the UK as remaining airports complete their upgrades, bringing one of aviation’s most unpopular security measures closer to history.