Anyone who has passed through an airport in the past two decades will be familiar with the standard security rule that bans various items, including liquids that exceed a certain limit. Few understand why the liquid rule was initially introduced and why it remains in force today.
Why the 100ml rule exists
With more travellers cutting holiday costs by opting for hand luggage only, the rule can easily be breached, as toiletries may push them over the liquid threshold. At numerous airports, passengers cannot carry liquids in containers exceeding 100ml through security.
Some assume the rule was introduced following the September 11 attacks in 2001. However, it did not take effect until several years later. Chelsea Dickenson of @Holidayexpert clarified: "It actually came five years later in 2006, because the Met Police foiled a plot that could have taken place. Could have been awful."
Following the thwarted attacks, Chelsea explained how Brits were banned from bringing hand luggage onto flights for days. "You had to check everything in so that it could be properly checked," she said. The blanket prohibition lasted only a few days, between August 10 and 14. Carry-on baggage was ultimately restored over time, but the liquid rule remained for the following two decades.
The plot behind the rule
The 100ml restriction was introduced to prevent terrorists from smuggling liquid explosives aboard aircraft, concealed within everyday objects. The limitation is deliberately small enough to prevent liquid components from combining to create a large-scale destructive explosion, while remaining manageable for security personnel.
The plot that was stopped would have involved terrorists travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States and Canada, with explosives disguised as soft drinks. Of those arrested and tried, seven people were found guilty of conspiracy charges.
Which UK airports still enforce the 100ml rule?
Plans are in place to update regulations as technology advances, but most airports continue to strictly enforce the 100ml limit. However, the rules are set to change once again. Airports across the UK are increasingly allowing passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids in hand luggage without needing to remove them from their bags. However, these arrangements are not yet in place at all UK airports.
For several major UK airports, the rule has already been updated, but others still need to catch up with the rollout of new scanning equipment. The 100ml rule has been scrapped at a number of airports, with passengers at Heathrow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Birmingham now able to take up to two litres of liquids through security.
These changes are due to new CT scanners that deliver more detailed imagery, but the rollout is several years behind schedule. At certain airports, including Luton and Manchester, passengers must still adhere to the 100ml rule, although they are permitted to keep liquids in their cabin bags.
Full list of UK airports that still have the 100ml rule in place:
- Aberdeen
- Bournemouth
- Cardiff
- East Midlands
- Glasgow International
- Glasgow Prestwick
- Inverness
- Isle of Man
- Leeds Bradford
- Liverpool (John Lennon)
- London City
- London Luton
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Norwich
- Southampton
- Teesside
At the majority of airports, there is no restriction on the number of bottles you can bring, regardless of whether the 100ml rule is enforced. However, it is best to check the airport's website for the current rules.
