Will Canadian airports change cash limits under UK plans? What we know – National

Every day, at airports across the country, Canadians feel the sting of strict security rules.

Shampoo bottles and soft drinks are banned in the trash. Neatly folded clothes are chaotically deployed to lift a forgotten laptop from the bottom of a bag.

But as UK airports aim to drop restrictions on liquids and laptops in hand luggage over the next two years, according to an announcement from his government last week, could there be change in the air for Canadian travelers as well?

Canada is testing technology that could allow passengers to keep liquids and large electronic devices in their hand luggage when going through airport security, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has confirmed ( CATSA) to Global News.

“We tested new technology that could allow passengers to keep liquids and large electronic devices in their hand luggage. Purchasing this equipment in Canada requires a competitive process which we plan to undertake shortly,” said a CATSA spokesperson.

The tests come as the UK says the new technology will allow passengers in coming years to carry up to two liters of liquids, aerosols and gels – a massive increase from the current limit of 100 milliliters – and keep large electronics tucked away in their luggage during security checks.

Canada plans to purchase similar technology soon, a CATSA spokesperson said.

“Given the number of airports in Canada, any adoption of this technology will need to be phased over time,” the agency’s statement read.

But officials are yet to say whether they are considering the same two-litre limit as the UK

Global News has pressed Transport Canada and CATSA for details on how this new, tested technology could change the passenger experience at Canadian airports.

Officials declined to provide them, citing security concerns.

“If CT scanning were to be implemented in Canada, Transport Canada will advise how and when it might impact Canadians,” a Transport Canada statement said.

“No decision has been made at this time.”

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However, CATSA’s 2022 Annual Report Confirmed that it is CT technology that is currently being tested – the same equipment that is changing the game of airport security in the UK.

The report states that this technology would “improve security efficiency and detection capabilities” at Canadian airports “while reducing the need for passengers to dispose of items such as large electronics.”

“To prepare for this major initiative, CATSA will be conducting a trial of a PBS CT X-ray on a CATSA Plus line in the spring of 2022 and plans to incorporate the results of the trial into the procurement process,” says the report.

While it’s unclear how Transport Canada and CATSA define “large electronic devices” that could remain tucked away in carry-on baggage while passing through security, changes introduced in the UK may help paint a picture of what is possible with the new equipment.

Currently, Canadians cannot transport liquids, gels or aerosols in containers larger than 100ml. In addition to this, these must be placed in a transparent, closed and resealable plastic bag no larger than one liter – and you can only carry one of these liquid bags.

Canadian airports also require laptops to be placed in bins when being x-rayed at the security gate.

UK airports should start receiving new high-tech 3D scanners by mid-2024, the UK government has said.

The equipment is similar to CT scanners used in hospitals and would allow airport staff to zoom in on the contents of a bag and then rotate the image for inspection.

The technology will allow passengers to carry liquids in containers of up to two litres, the UK government has said – that’s double the full liquid allowance that currently exists in the UK and Canada .

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It will also allow travelers to skip the requirement to remove items such as laptops and tablets from their hand luggage, marking a major departure from traditional rules at UK airports.

The UK government has called the coming change a win-win for travelers and airport security officers.

“Not only will this mean greater convenience for travelers – as people will no longer need to spend time removing items from their bags – but it will also improve passenger safety, as security personnel will have images details of what people are carrying,” the UK government said.

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.