UK’s biggest airports set to miss CT scanner deadline

Saturday, 28 Dec, 2023 0

Some airports are struggling to meet the deadline for the biggest change in airport security for two decades.

The government set a June 2024 deadline to install high-tech CT scanners at airport security, which would allow the 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped.

With CT scanners in place, the liquid limit in hand luggage would be up to two litres.

It would significantly speed up passenger screening.

However, four of the busiest airports are in danger of missing the deadline for the new equipment.

These are London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports.

A source tells The Times that a delay is ‘almost inevitable.’

“It’s going to be a struggle for the big airports. One of the biggest issues they face is fitting the new scanners and retraining staff without impacting the flow of passengers.”

Lifting the airport liquid ban will be the biggest change in airport security in the past 20 years.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said it would be ‘a new era of improved security and the passenger experience.’

He added: “Airports now have until June 2024 to upgrade their screening equipment and processes.”

With 146 security lanes across its terminals. London Heathrow faces the biggest headache, the source said.

It has already apparently told the CAA it will struggle to meet the deadline.

Manchester Airports Group, which owns Manchester and Stansted airports ‘continues to make good progress on the introduction of new security screening equipment.’

“This is a complex programme of work requiring the expansion of terminal facilities, while at the same time maintaining operations during construction,” a MAG spokesperson said.

Heathrow has said it is investing about £1 billion on the upgrades and aims to have it ready ‘as quickly as practically possible,’

Gatwick said it wouldn’t complete its full CT scanner roll out until at least early 2025.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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