UK Government Grants Extensions for Airports to Install New Security Technology Ahead of Deadline

The UK government has granted some airports additional time to install new security technology that allows travelers to bring more liquids onto their flights. However, failing to meet the deadline will result in serious financial penalties for these airports. The new scanners, announced in 2018, are designed to detect prohibited items more accurately and eliminate the need for passengers to remove items from their hand luggage during security checks.

Despite the June 1, 2024 deadline, certain airports have faced challenges in upgrading their security checkpoints due to issues such as the slow recovery of the global supply chain from the pandemic. Some airports have had to undergo significant construction work to accommodate the new equipment, including reinforcing floors and building new screening halls. However, due to these difficulties, the Department for Transport has granted extensions to the deadline for some airports, with some extensions lasting up to a year. It is now up to individual airports to ensure that the new technology is installed on time.

The government is considering introducing financial penalties for airports that fail to meet the new deadlines under powers provided by the Aviation Security Act. London City Airport has already completed the deployment of next-generation security scanners, allowing passengers to pass through security without having