British airports to introduce 3D screening for carry-on bags

LONDON – Putting small containers of liquids in plastic bags could soon be a thing of the past for airline passengers in Britain after the government announced plans Sunday to introduce 3D screening equipment for carry-on luggage at all major airports.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement that the new technology will improve security and could also mean “an end to passengers having to use plastic bags or rationing what they take away with them.”

Under current security restrictions, passengers are not allowed containers carrying more than 100 millilitres (3.38 fluid ounces) of liquids in their carry-on luggage and the containers have to be in a clear plastic bag.

That could come to an end under the new screening regime and passengers may also be able to keep electrical equipment such as their laptops in their cabin bags.

The screeners already are being used in trials at London’s Heathrow Airport and they will progressively be rolled out to other British airports by Dec. 1, 2022, the government said.

Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye says the technology “will transform the passenger experience, making air travel simple, streamlined and more secure through the U.K.’s only hub airport.”