PASSENGERS flying from 11 Scottish airports will be able to whizz through security much quicker thanks to new enhanced screening equipment.
Highlands and Islands Airports are upgrading to new high-tech x-ray equipment, which means the end to the rule on taking liquids through security.
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From June 1, passengers will be able to take up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage.
The move comes as regulations require all UK airports to upgrade their X ray screening equipment for baggage and body scanners to enhance the security experience for passengers.
However if you’re carrying liquid containers of 100ml or less, they still need to be placed in plastic bags and put in trays for screening. Liquids over this amount also need to be taken out of baggage.
Until now many travellers were forced to bin items or have them confiscated by guards if they either forget or misjudged how much liquid they had with them.
It also meant extra time at security as those caught out had to empty and repack their hand luggage.
And passengers can now also leave their electronic devices, including laptops, in their hand baggage for screening.
All 11 HAIL airports – Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats will have the news scanners in time for summer.
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They are also investing in new body scanners, which will be in place at Benbecula, Inverness, Islay, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh airports.
But passengers will still need remove coats, jackets, hoodies, heeled shoes and boots, belts, watches and empty pockets for x-ray screening.
Those who don’t want to use the new body scanners can request an alternative search method.
HAIL has investment £1 million for the introduction of the new security equipment to streamline passengers journey through the airport.
Darren MacLeod, Director of Safety, Compliance and Security at HIAL, said: “Our security procedures are a necessary requirement to ensure the safety of all.
“The introduction of this new equipment will further improve safety but should also mean a simpler and more straightforward security process for passengers.
“We advise all passengers to check the guidance for individual airports and to allow more time to pass through security this summer. staff will be on hand at airports to assist passengers with the new process.”
The old rules were brought in after Al-Qaeda planned to blow up seven planes from Heathrow using liquid explosives.
The foiled 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot targeted flights to the United States and Canada.
But not all airports will have the new tech up and running this year, despite Government hopes that the upgrades would be complete by June 1.
Many have been plagued by issues getting the new devices installed and supply issues and building works have led the deadline being scrapped.
Some airports are having to build whole new screening halls for the new scanners. While others need their floors reinforced so they can cope with the weight of the machines.
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Edinburgh airport chiefs said work is currently underway to upgrade their security but reminded passengers, the old rules still apply.
A spokesman said: “Although work is currently ongoing to install the new scanners and a number will be in place in the coming weeks and months, passengers should continue to follow the 100ml rules and remove large electricals from their bags until we announce otherwise.”
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A spokesman for AGS Airports, which owns and operates Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, welcomed the decision to delay the June 1 rollout and added: “We will continue to work with the DFT on the roll-out of Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) scanners.”