Manchester Airport has revealed which item is most commonly picked up at security. In a post on Instagram, the airport said sun cream was among its most 'commonly confiscated' items.
The airport does allow sun cream in a passenger's hand luggage, and the use of scanners means it does not have to be taken out of bags and placed in a small plastic bag. However, unlike many other airports in the UK, the amount you can take is limited to 100mls.
With many bottles being larger than 100mls, huge quantities are confiscated every year before passengers are allowed on a plane.
Social media post highlights rule
"Did you know one of our most commonly confiscated items is sun cream?" a post on their social media read. "Even though you can keep your liquids inside your hand luggage, they still need to be 100ml or less. So this means sun creams like this one can't come through."
The post added: "This is the same for all liquids including perfumes, deodorants, makeup, and drinks. Another common confiscated item is lighters. One is permitted per passenger, however, any multiple lighters will be disposed of."
"Liquid medication is permitted to travel in your hand luggage, however, it must be accompanied by a prescription or a doctor's note. Breast milk is permitted to travel in your hand luggage, however, it must not be frozen and it must not be in containers over two litres. You can bring more than one container."
Passengers call for change
This policy is not universally popular, if the replies to the post are anything to go by. This is because other major airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick allow up to two litres through security.
However, it is worth noting that, along with Manchester, both London Luton and Stansted only allow 100mls.
"MAG seriously needs to get with the times and allow pax thru with containers up to 2ltrs like other airports with the new scanners," said one person on Instagram. "You need to get in line with other major UK airports and remove the 100ml restriction," said another, while a third said: "Why is it only at man then when other airports you can take any amount through? Seriously need to get rid of this useless rule."
Other banned items
Manchester Airport says a number of other items are also banned from your hand luggage: "It's an offence to carry certain items into an aircraft cabin as they could be dangerous. These items will be confiscated at Security, including toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)."
This includes ammunition and firearms, certain premixing burner lighters, strike anywhere matches, party poppers, internal combustion or fuel cell engines, and fireworks. Camping stoves are also banned.
Items containing mercury, such as small medical or clinical thermometers or energy-efficient lamps, are banned, as are flammable paints, permeation devices, attaché cases, cash boxes, and smoke hoods with an oxygen supply.
