It’s 5am (known as the rush hour of airports) and you’ve just stood in the airport security queue for at least 30 minutes. Half asleep, you then have to empty everything out of your bag into the tray, ending up being stopped for forgetting that hand cream in your handbag (which you then have to wait for another 20 minutes to be checked). Fortunately, Edinburgh Airport has now introduced its first 3D scanner to help make the airport security journey much easier.
The new 3D scanners mean passengers will no longer need to take out their liquids and electronics from their luggage, and the very first scanner went into operation on Tuesday, April 23 at Edinburgh Airport. What is more, the new high-tech equipment means travellers will be able to take up to two litres of liquids when they travel, meaning there will no longer be a 100ml restriction once the airport rolls it out next year.
The airport has ordered eight high-tech 3D X-ray scanners, as part of the government’s deadline to scrap the 100ml liquids rule.
When will the 100ml liquids rule be scrapped at Edinburgh Airport?
The UK government has set a deadline for all the main airports in the country to remove the 100ml rule by June 1, 2024. However, Edinburgh Aiport has been granted a year’s extension, as Scotland’s busiest airport. Meanwhile, the majority of passengers should be able to use the new scanners by the summer peak, according to the airport.
So, while everyone should still avoid bringing liquids over 100ml until June 2025, it is nice to see things are officially moving forward.
An Edinburgh Airport spokesman said: “This is a rolling installation programme and the new scanners will come online over the next few months.
Passengers should continue to follow existing rules until all of the work is complete, and we will make an announcement when that is the case. It’s very important for everyone to continue to follow the existing rules as we head into the busy summer months. Doing so will help people move through security as quickly and safely as possible.”