Southend allows 2-litre liquids

Passengers flying from London Southend Airport can now carry liquid containers of up to two litres through security without removing them from their cabin baggage, following the introduction of advanced new screening equipment.

The change marks a significant improvement to the security process at Southend and removes one of the most familiar inconveniences associated with travelling through UK airports.

Passengers will also be able to keep laptops, tablets, iPads and other electronic devices inside their bags while passing through security.

The new rules have been made possible by the installation of advanced C3 cabin baggage screening technology, capable of producing much more detailed images of the contents of passengers' bags than traditional security scanners.

For many years, passengers flying from UK airports became accustomed to the familiar 100ml liquid restriction.

Travellers had to place small liquid containers inside a transparent plastic bag and remove them from their hand luggage when passing through security.

At London Southend, the new screening equipment changes that process considerably.

Passengers can now travel through security with individual liquid containers of up to two litres remaining inside their cabin baggage.

That could make a substantial difference when packing for a journey.

Larger toiletries, drinks and other permitted liquids that would previously have exceeded the cabin baggage security limit can now pass through Southend's security screening, subject to the airport's applicable rules.

Liquids are not the only items passengers will no longer routinely need to remove.

Electronic devices including laptops, tablets and iPads can remain inside cabin baggage during security screening.

Traditionally, passengers have been required to remove larger electronic devices and place them separately into security trays.

This can slow down the process, particularly when several passengers are simultaneously unpacking and repacking their belongings.

C3 scanners provide security personnel with more sophisticated views of the contents of a bag, allowing items to be examined without requiring passengers to separate everything beforehand.

For travellers, this should mean less unpacking at the security checkpoint and less time spent reorganising bags afterwards.

C3 security equipment represents a major technological upgrade over older cabin baggage X-ray systems.

The scanners use advanced imaging techniques to give security officers a much more detailed view of items inside passengers' luggage.

Rather than relying primarily on a conventional two-dimensional X-ray image, the technology allows security staff to examine baggage in much greater detail.

This improved screening capability is what makes it possible for liquids and larger electronic devices to remain inside bags.

For passengers, the technology may appear to offer a relatively simple improvement.

Behind the scenes, however, it represents a substantial change in the way cabin baggage is screened.

London Southend is also changing the way passengers themselves are screened.

As part of the wider security upgrade, the airport says passengers will be screened using full security body scanners.

The combination of new cabin baggage scanners and passenger screening equipment is intended to make security both effective and more efficient.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said passenger screening processes continue to be improved, with new cabin baggage technology helping airports make security procedures as efficient as possible.

For passengers, the most noticeable difference should be a simpler journey through the security area.

Removing the need to take liquids and electronics out of hand luggage has the potential to make security checkpoints more efficient.

A significant amount of time at traditional airport security is spent preparing trays.

Passengers remove coats and other required items, locate their transparent liquids bag, take laptops and tablets from luggage and then organise everything into separate trays.

After screening, the process happens in reverse.

Reducing the number of items that need to be removed should simplify both stages.

It does not mean passengers can simply walk through security without preparing, and normal aviation security requirements still apply.

However, fewer items needing to be unpacked should make the process more convenient, particularly during busy travel periods.

There is one particularly important point for passengers travelling abroad from Southend.

The rules at your destination airport may be different.

Southend's new scanners and two-litre allowance apply when passing through security at London Southend Airport.

An overseas airport used for the return flight may still operate under different liquid restrictions or use older security equipment.

Passengers could therefore legally depart Southend with a larger liquid container but discover that they cannot take the same item through security when flying home.

London Southend has advised travellers to check the requirements of their airline and the airport from which their return journey will depart.

This is particularly important until advanced scanners and corresponding liquid rules become more widely adopted.

Passengers should also distinguish between airport security rules and airline baggage rules.

The new two-litre allowance relates to what can pass through Southend's security checkpoint.

It does not increase the size or weight of cabin baggage permitted by an airline.

Airlines can continue to impose their own restrictions on hand luggage dimensions, weight and the number of bags passengers can take onboard.

Passengers should therefore check both the airport security requirements and their airline's baggage allowance before travelling.

Southend is considerably smaller than Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, but its size can also be an advantage for passengers looking for a straightforward airport experience.

The introduction of C3 screening adds another element to that proposition.

Being able to leave liquids and electronics inside cabin baggage removes some of the preparation traditionally associated with airport security.

For business travellers carrying laptops, families travelling with multiple electronic devices and holidaymakers carrying toiletries, the difference could be particularly noticeable.

The introduction also demonstrates how new security technology is gradually changing one of the most familiar parts of air travel.

The 100ml rule has shaped the way passengers pack cabin baggage for almost two decades.

At London Southend Airport, the move to a two-litre limit represents a significant step away from that familiar routine.

Passengers should simply remember that the same rules may not yet apply when they make their return journey.

Airports Transfer provides pre-booked private hire transfers to and from London Southend Airport, including journeys between Southend and central London, hotels, residential addresses and other UK destinations.

Pre-booking an airport transfer allows passengers to arrange their collection or drop-off before travelling, with different vehicle options available according to passenger and luggage requirements.

Written by Airports Transfer for passengers travelling to and from London airports.