After nearly two decades, the UK’s strict 100ml liquid rule at airport security is finally starting to fade — at least at two major airports.

As of this month, passengers flying out of Birmingham and Edinburgh airports can now carry liquids, aerosols, and gels of up to two litres in their hand luggage, thanks to newly installed CT scanners that detect threats without requiring travelers to unpack.

The relaxation comes 19 years after British authorities introduced the 100ml limit in 2006 following a foiled terror plot involving liquid explosives on transatlantic flights. Though originally billed as a temporary measure, the rule quickly became standard worldwide.

However, the change isn’t universal — and that’s where things get complicated. Passengers are being urged to check the rules for their return flights or connections through other airports, as many UK and international hubs still enforce the 100ml restriction.

The Department for Transport (DfT) had set a June 2024 deadline for all major UK airports to install advanced scanners capable of analyzing the molecular makeup of baggage contents. But several key hubs missed that target. At compliant airports, the new tech briefly allowed relaxed rules, only to see restrictions reimposed shortly after due to operational concerns.

Now, with the busy summer travel season in full swing, most UK airports are equipped with the new systems — but only those approved by the DfT can officially lift the 100ml ban. So far, just Birmingham and Edinburgh have received that green light.

For now, the shift promises faster, less intrusive security checks at select airports — but with the travel landscape still fragmented, consistency remains out of reach.