The British government's decision to reinstate restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage at six regional airports has been met with criticism and warnings of possible uncertainty and delays. Consumer group Which? warns of chaotic scenes and confusion for travellers.
The return to the restrictions in force since yesterday (Sunday) was announced by the Ministry of Transport, despite the introduction of new generations of scanners that allow passengers to carry up to two liters of liquids and leave laptops in their bags. No clear explanation was given for this measure.
The Department for Transport stressed that the rule is temporary and only affects passengers from six airports, which represent around 6% of UK air passengers. This change affects Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Southend and Teesside airports.
The 100ml limit on liquids in hand luggage was introduced in 2006 following a bomb attack on a transatlantic airliner. The move was described by the DfT as a "routine measure" rather than a response to any specific threat.
However, chaotic scenes at Birmingham Airport caused a stir over the weekend when long queues formed. An airport spokesman said this was due to the re-imposition of the liquids ban, which exceeds the capacity of security facilities.
The inconsistency of the rules and the short-term change are causing confusion among travelers. This measure could lead to further delays and uncertainty during the travel season.
Airports had until June 1 to introduce advanced security scanners that would make it easier to carry liquids and laptops, but an extension of up to a year was granted because of challenges in installing the devices.
The government's decision and the resulting problems are leading to discussions about clear and consistent communication between airports and the government to avoid confusion and delays.