Shannon Airport has announced that the 100ml restriction on liquids in passenger hand luggage has been removed. The restrictions have been an inconvenience to passengers since being introduced in 2006.
Why was the 100ml rule introduced?
In the summer of 2006, Intelligence Services uncovered a plot to blow up multiple airliners over the Atlantic Ocean. The targeted flights were all leaving from Heathrow Airport with destinations across North America. The bomb plotters had planned to smuggle the items required for the explosive devices through airport security. As reported by the Guardian at the time of the convictions, the components were disguised as soft drinks and the plan was to assemble the devices onboard the aircraft.
As the plot was uncovered, governments and aviation authorities immediately introduced new rules on hand luggage to prevent a repeat incident. One of these was a restriction on the size of liquids. The maximum permitted container size was 100ml and they had fit inside a clear plastic bag and be taken out of the cabin bag to be presented separately.
New technology enables rule change
Shannon Airport has recently invested $2.7m on the installation of a new security screening system. The new system has upgraded the airport security equipment in the terminal, allowing passengers to keep liquids in their bags when passing through security. The technology does not require the liquids to be separated in a clear bag, as has become standard practice. There are now no restrictions on the size of liquids in hand luggage at Shannon, as long as they can fit inside the cabin bag. At the unveiling of the new system, Shannon Airport stated that,
The new high-tech security screening system makes the removal of laptops and liquids from cabin bags a thing of the past and combined with the latest technologically advanced security scanning equipment, it reduces touch points, and will make the passenger journey through security quicker and easier.
As detailed by Smart Security, there are different categories of Explosive Detection Systems. The C3 technology installed at Shannon Airport enables electronics and liquids to remain in the bag as it passes through the scanner. The equipment can scan all items in the bag without having to be separated.
Is this happening at any other airports?
Other airports are installing similar technology to enable the rules to be relaxed and improve the passenger experience. It is expected that this will become standard across the industry as airports upgrade their facilities. As reported by the Independent, all major airports in the UK must have this technology installed by December 1st, 2022.
An entire generation of airline passengers had to adapt to the new rules overnight in 2006. Frequent flyers adapted quickly but infrequent flyers were not always fully aware of the rules until arriving at the airport. Relaxing the rules will be another change for passengers, but will be a welcome one, particularly for those passengers who have only ever experienced airport security becoming stricter. However, until the rules become common practice at all airports, it would be advisable for passengers to review the regulations at each airport in their journey.
The new rules at Shannon Airport are a rare but welcome relaxation in the airport security process and will enhance the journey for passengers and simplify the process for airport staff.