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Why Are UK and EU Airports Reinstating the 100ml Liquid Rule?

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Image Name: The 100ml liquid rule

Image Credit: The Independent

The flight passengers across the United Kingdom and European Union have been disappointed once airports have reinstated the rigorous 100ml liquid limit for hand luggage. Particularly after certain European countries had loosened these regulations, many had anticipated that the age of “tiny toiletries” was almost over. But a technical problem with new security scanners causes the regulations to be fully enforced, leaving travelers scurrying once more.

The Resurfacing of the 100ml Rule
For those who had become used to the ease of carrying more, the 100ml limit on liquids, pastes, and gels in hand baggage comes as a blow. New scanning technology using CT X-ray machines first made it possible for these requirements to be relaxed; theoretically, this lets bigger liquid amounts and laptops pass through security without requiring separation from luggage. While many others were still in testing the equipment, airports in places including Rome and Amsterdam had already embraced this technology and started removing limitations.

But the European Commission has said that a “temporary technical issue” with the new scanners calls for a restoration of the 100ml cap. Although exact information on the problem has not been revealed, reports indicate that some liquid containers were not precisely identified by the scanners, therefore raising security issues.

Business Response to the Setback
The airport sector, especially the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, has objected to the decision to go back to the old policies. The director general of ACI Europe, Olivier Jankovec, voiced his annoyance and called the action a “setback for the passenger experience” and a “blow to major investments made by airports.” Although security is the first concern, he underlined that the abrupt change erodes the confidence the sector has in the EU’s aviation security equipment certification system.

Early adopters of the new technology, airports that substantially invested in the state-of-the-art scanners, are now suffering operational and financial difficulties resulting from the abrupt reversal. This unanticipated shift has caused operational delays and passenger uncertainty as airports hurriedly return to former policies.

The UK’s Implementation Challenge
Forecasts that all airports in the United Kingdom would eliminate the liquid limits by 2024 have not come to pass as expected. By June 2024, the former Conservative government had mandated that every airport equip advanced scanning technologies. The execution has shown out to be more difficult than expected, though.

While smaller airports such as London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen, and Southend managed to make the deadline and ease their liquid limitations, bigger airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester did not. Among the challenges these bigger airports encountered were supply chain problems and major building work required, which delayed the introduction of the new equipment. As so, these airports were given more time to finish the required improvements.

The UK Department of Transport unexpectedly announced in mid-June restoring the 100ml liquid limitations even at airports that had earlier removed the restrictions. Airport officials have been annoyed by this abrupt turnaround since they had to quickly modify their practices to follow the new directive.

Why Has the Rule Come Back?
Late July saw the European Commission clarify that the decision to go back to the 100ml liquid limit was from a “temporary technical issue” with the new generation of scanners rather than in reaction to any fresh security threat. The Commission underlined that work is in progress to create “swift technical solutions” to solve the issue and that the activity was carried out in line with the foreign partners of the EU.

Likewise, the UK government has said that if fresh information surfaced, the scanning systems needed to be improved. However, no particular schedule has been given for when the 100ml limitations might be relaxed once more, leaving travelers in a condition of ambiguity.

The European Commission and the UK Department of Transport are closely working with manufacturers, airports, and overseas partners to solve the issue as fast as practically possible. Passenger advice is to anticipate that the 100ml limitations will continue in place for the foreseeable future and to verify the rules at both departure and return airports before flying, but, given no clear end date in sight.

The return of the 100ml liquid limit in hand luggage at UK and EU airports has left passengers in fresh difficulty and uncertainty. Technical problems have driven a return to the old limitations even with the promise of new scanning technology that may allow higher amounts of liquids. The airport sector, which has extensively invested in new technologies only to face operational and financial losses, has criticized the action. Passengers are encouraged to keep aware and ready for the continuous difficulties at airport security checkpoints as the circumstances keep changing.

This startling news reminds us that unexpected obstacles still exist on the road to improved passenger convenience even with technology advancement. Following the updated policies ensures flawless and safe travels; thus, travellers must be patient and aware as officials work to solve the issues with the new scanners.

For more information, visit BBC’s comprehensive article

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