Airport

Airport security 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped

The Government has announced that it will eliminate the 100ml liquid limit at major UK airports over the next two years, enhancing air travellers’ travel experiences.

After new technology is implemented, travellers will be able to leave liquids and large electrical items in their cabin luggage while they pass through security. The government has given airports until June 2024 to update its security checks, but until then, the current regulations, which include a prohibition on liquids and gels in containers larger than 100ml in hand luggage, may still apply.

Singapore Airlines A380 delivered in 2009 being scrapped at Singapore(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the Department for Transport, this new technology will also increase passenger safety because security personnel will have more detailed photos of what passengers are carrying. On Thursday, new laws were announced that, in the words of the DfT, “will make it easier to streamline the processes that apply to UK airports in the future.”

By 2024, major airports in the UK will have the newest security technology installed, reducing overall on queues, enhancing the traveller experience, and most critically, identifying possible threats, according to Transport Secretary Mark Harper.

FAA to Introduce New Rest Regulations for Flight Attendants.(Opens in a new browser tab)

It will take two years for this to be fully implemented, so of course it won’t happen right immediately. Before departing, travellers must continue to follow by the current regulations. At the moment, passengers are obliged to remove laptops and tablets from hand luggage and to place liquids in clear plastic bags that can store no more than 100ml of liquid per container.

“This investment in next-generation security by the UK’s airport operators will provide a great step forward for UK air travel, matching the best in class around the world,” said Christopher Snelling, policy director at the Airport Operators Association (AOA), which represents the interests of UK airports.

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Airport

Three Major UK Airports Up for Multi-Billion Pound Sale

Three major UK airports, including London City, Birmingham, and Bristol, are set to be sold in a multi-billion pound deal as their Canadian owner, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), seeks to capitalize on a booming air travel market.

The OTPP is in talks with minority shareholders about selling its stakes in these airports, as well as its holdings in Brussels and Copenhagen airports.

Current evaluations suggest the combined value of the five airports exceeds £10 billion, with OTPP owning between 25% and 70% stakes in each, potentially bringing the total sale to over £3.5 billion.

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The move comes as global aviation experiences a strong recovery, driving increased demand for air travel, particularly across Europe. The OTPP, which holds a significant portion of its portfolio in these airports, is in the process of offering its shares to co-investors with a 30-day “right of first refusal” period.

Analysts speculate that the sale could trigger a chain reaction, prompting other stakeholders to consider selling their shares, particularly if a new buyer seeks a controlling interest.

Bristol Airport, for example, has outlined an ambitious master plan to expand its capacity from 12 million passengers per year to 15 million by 2036, addressing the growing demand in the region.

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Meanwhile, London’s Heathrow and Stansted airports have seen record passenger traffic, further underscoring the sector’s recovery.

As the 30-day period progresses, the OTPP’s decision could spark a flurry of activity, with other investors such as Australian giant Macquarie reportedly showing interest in the airports.

This potential sale is set to reshape the future of UK airport ownership and investment, as the aviation industry continues to recover and grow.