The government has acknowledged the dreaded 100 ml liquid rule for air travellers won’t be completed scrapped by the summer.
England’s big three airports won’t have all the new airport security scanners in place by the original 1 June deadline.
London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports won’t complete the installation of new scanners in place in time.
They have applied for extensions.
The new scanners have CT X-ray technology that scans bags using 3D images.
This would allow the scrapping of the 100ml liquid rule for carry-on bags.
Most smaller airports, which require fewer of the new CT machines, have completed installation or are on track to do so by June.
The Department for Transport said airports which continually miss deadlines will be fined.
For London Heathrow it is a big undertaking as it has 146 security lanes.
It is thought it may be early summer of 2025 before every airport is CT machine compliant for every security lane.
“As with any programme of this complexity, there are significant challenges. We are happy the government has recognised these and agreed to extend timeframes,” said Karen Dee, CEO of the Airport Operators Association.
