London City Airport became the first major airport in the U.K. to deploy next-generation security scanners for all passengers, enabling travelers to pass through security without removing laptops and liquids from their hand luggage.
Passengers no longer have to restrict toiletries and liquids to 100 ml bottles and can leave laptops, tablets and mobile phones in their bag, as they pass through streamlined security screening. Bottles with a capacity of 2 liters are also now permitted at London City Airport.
The introduction follows successful trials last year and positive feedback from passengers. London City expects travel to continue to rebound this year and is preparing to welcome close to four million passengers in 2023.
“We have always prided ourselves on embracing innovation and being early adopters of new technology,” said Alison FitzGerald, chief operating officer. “The new CT scanners will take our passenger experience to another level, reducing the stress and hassle of 100mL liquids in clear, plastic bags and having to unload your hand luggage. The new process delivers a much more efficient security operation with enhanced security screening. We are really confident that this investment will make the experience of travelling through London City even better for the business and leisure passengers using the airport, to quickly and easily get to our many domestic and international destinations.”
Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said, “We’re making sure that all major airports across the UK introduce a new generation of sophisticated security technology, and it’s great to see this being harnessed at London City Airport already. This will reduce queueing times, improve the passenger experience, and most importantly detect potential threats. Passengers traveling from other airports should continue to always check the necessary guidance on security procedures at those airports before travelling.”
The airport hopes the CT scanners, made by Leidos, will enhance security checkpoints.
Commenting on behalf of Leidos, Brad Buswell, SVP and operations manager at Leidos, said: “The combination of our CT scanners and automated tray return system significantly improves the experience at security checkpoints for both passengers and security operators.”
As part of the Department for Transport’s next-generation security checkpoint, all U.K. airports must upgrade to the new system by June 2024. The CT technology is already in use in some international hub airports such as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and LaGuardia Airport in the United States.
Since 2006, U.K. travelers had been required to restrict individual bottles to 100 ml, fit all liquids into a single, clear plastic bag and remove all electronic items from their carry-on luggage. Not all airports are introducing new security technology at the same rate, therefore passengers should check security requirements with their airline or airport before traveling.