Many travelers have had bottles of shampoo or sunscreen confiscated at airport security because the liquids exceeded the allowable limit for carry-on baggage on flights.
Now UK airports will make changes to allow more liquids in hand luggage, while travelers will not need to remove electronic devices from luggage at security.
The Canadian Airport Transportation Security Authority says it is “testing new technology” that could allow passengers to keep liquids and large electronic devices in carry-on baggage, but there is currently no change in safety rules. Jthe british government has set a June 2024 deadline for major UK airports to install new security technology.
In the future, passengers will be able to leave liquids and large “electrical items” in carry-on baggage when going through security, reducing hassle for passengers.
Passengers in the UK are currently required to remove tablets, laptops and liquids from their cabin baggage, while liquids have been limited to 100ml and must be in a clear plastic bag. This requirement will eventually be lifted and the limit for 100 ml containers will be extended to 2 litres.
The changes will be gradual over the next two years and current safety rules will continue to apply.
NO CHANGES TO CANADIAN TRAVEL
While restrictions may ease in the UK in the future, there are currently no changes to what you can bring to security at Canadian airports.
In Canada, passengers are also limited how much cash they can bring through security as part of their carry-on baggage or personal effects,
“Before entering the checkpoint, ensure that containers of liquids, aerosols and gels are 100ml or less. Anything over 100ml should go in your checked baggage,” a Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) spokesperson told CTV News Ottawa in an email.
“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. Given the number of airports in Canada, any adoption of this technology will need to be phased over time,” CATSA said.
“Over the next few years, CATSA will undertake the replacement of current PBS X-rays with CT X-rays which will improve security efficiency and detection capabilities, while reducing the need for passengers to dispose of items such as major electronics, advancing CATSA’s goal is to improve the customer experience.
“To prepare for this major initiative, CATSA will be conducting a trial of a PBS CT X-ray on an CATSA Plus line in the spring of 2022 and plans to incorporate the results of the trial into the procurement process.”
TRAVEL TIPS FOR HOLIDAYS
The Ottawa airport will experience some of the busiest travel days of the season just before Christmas. CATSA encourages all passengers to arrive early — at least two hours for domestic flights and three hours for US and international flights.
If you are wrapping gifts, make sure all gifts you bring are unwrapped.
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