Latest Airport Security Information

Return to the flight information page

On 6^th November 2006, new security measures come into effect for all passengers departing from UK Airports. Detailed below is a guide to the requirements in place as well as advice to help passengers pass through the security check as quickly as possible. The following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport.

Liquids: Some liquids will be allowed through security check points although the restrictions are as follows:

Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids but only within separate containers each with a capacity not greater than 100ml. All liquid containers must be brought to the airport in one single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approx 20cm x 20cm).The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag must be sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids and the bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point.

Liquids that cannot be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into hold luggage and checked in.

Liquids include:

• all drinks, including water, soup, syrups;
• creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc;
• sprays and pressurised containers including shaving foam & spray deodorants;
• pastes, including toothpastes;
• gels, including hair and shower gel;
• any other solutions and items of similar consistency;

Medicines: Essential medicines and baby food may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit, but will be subject to authentication.

Hand luggage: Each passenger is permitted to carry only ONE item of cabin baggage (in addition to the re-sealable liquid bag) through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 56cm, width of 45cm and depth of 25cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

To help your progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include additional items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

All laptops and large electrical items (eg large hairdryer) must be removed from the cabin baggage and screened separately. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

Outsize items: All items which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold. Musical instruments will, as an exception, be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, but will need to be screened and passengers should check with their particular airline if special arrangements for large instruments are required.

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

Preparing for your journey

Passengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible:

Before you arrive at the airport:

• Limit quantities to what you may need in the cabin during your flight.
• When possible, put liquids in hold baggage.
• Prepare the re-sealable bag of liquids before arriving at the airport.
• Check any queries with your airport or airline before travelling to the airport.

At the security point:

• Be ready to hand over your re-sealable bag of liquids for screening as you approach the security check point. It will be screened the same time as your cabin luggage.
• All coats and jackets will have to be removed ready to be screened and metal items including wallets will be placed in plastic trays to be scanned separately.
• Laptops and other large electrical items will be separately screened.

Duty free/Departure Lounge purchases:

• You may take on board liquid items of any size that are purchased Airside (in the Departure Lounge) after the security check.
• Most duty free or similar purchases will be given to you in a special sealed bag. Do not open this bag until you have reached your final destination. You should also retain proof of purchase throughout your journey. You will be required to show it at all transfer points.
• Please note that restrictions apply to duty free purchases made on return journeys where passengers change flights at an EU airport (see next section).

Returning to, or via the UK

• Travelling from an airport in the EU
  The arrangements outlined above will apply, except that larger cabin bags will be permitted on a transitional basis until April 2007.
• Travelling from an airport in any other country
  Local arrangements will apply.

Special information for transit passengers

If your journey involves changing flights at any EU airport, special restrictions apply. You may only take duty free purchases through the security point at your connecting airport if they have been purchased at another EU airport, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier. You will need to show proof of purchase to demonstrate this. Purchase from other airports or on board other airlines may only be carried as hold baggage on the connecting flight.

The Department for Transport continues to work closely with operators to introduce new arrangements and seeks to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum. The Department will keep these measures under review.

We want you to enjoy your holiday, and if you have any additional queries about your travel arrangements or the security in place at airports, please contact Classic Collection Holidays� administration team on 01903 836621.

Updated 6^th November 2006
Back to top