Airports in the UK and Ireland are testing systems that will relax some security rules on liquids and items, such as laptops, in hand luggage. Lithuanian Airports say they are also planning similar changes.
The British government has set a deadline of June 2024 for most UK airports to install new high-tech 3D scanners that will show more detailed images of baggage. This will allow scrapping the rule of 100 ml liquid in hand luggage, and passengers will no longer be required to take out their laptops while passing through airport security.
“These changes are necessary, as passenger numbers are growing, the requirements for passenger experience are also increasing, and we need to carry out airport security checks faster than before,” Tadas Vasiliauskas, a representative of Lithuanian Airports, said.
According to him, Lithuanian Airports are also planning to upgrade the screening technology available at the Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga airports.
“An international public procurement for upgraded aviation security scanners is currently underway. We expect that the new screening capabilities will be gradually introduced at Lithuanian airports from next year,” Vasiliauskas said.
The 100 ml liquid rule was introduced in 2006 after Al Qaeda planned explosions of seven planes departing from Heathrow Airport, using liquid explosives disguised as soft drinks. This would have been the largest Al Qaeda terror attack in the West since 9/11. (LRT/Business World Magazine)