Good news for passengers – Heathrow has completed a £1 billion upgrade to its security scanning technology allowing passengers to keep liquids and electronic devices in their hand baggage when passing through security checks.
The upgrade has seen next generation computer tomography (CT) scanners installed across security lanes in all four of the airport’s terminals. The technology produces detailed three dimensional images of cabin baggage helping security staff examine the contents more effectively.
The technology doesn’t remove the human element but allows searches to be carried out more efficiently and in a more expeditious manner.
Passengers can now carry liquids in containers of up to two litres as opposed to the 100 ml limit which has been in force for about two decades.
Many passengers have questioned the validity of the 100 ml rule, which followed a fear that annonymous liquids could be used to create explosive devices.
But Heathrow emphasises that passengers should still allow plenty of time for security searches and be aware that other airports on their onward journey may not have the new technology