LJLA passengers told to keep bringing 100ml liquids in bags 'for the rest of the year'
The government has granted an extension to airports to install new scanners
Liverpool John Lennon Airport are telling passengers they'll have to keep bringing 100ml liquids in bags for the rest of this year.
The government has granted a year-long extension, until June 2024, to airports to install new scanners, which will allow passengers to carry up to two litres in their hand luggage.
The new high-tech 3D scanners are also designed to end the need to remove things like liquids and laptops from hand luggage.
The original deadline to install these scanners was June - but many airports won't have them installed in time.
Karen Dee, the Chief Executive of the Airports Operators Association, said:
"It is quite a challenge. The new machines are not ones that you can drop in. They're heavier, they're bigger and so for some, that means big construction projects. Some airports have had to build new security halls themselves, some are just upgrading.
"There have been some challenges"
"Airports have been working on this for some time, there have been some challenges across the supply chain and we will do our utmost to make sure we hit this (new target).
"We're feeling pretty confident and we're doing our utmost to make sure that we get that in place as soon as possible.
"The government has done the right thing to make sure that we have the proper amount of time to be able to deliver this in a way that maintains the extremely high levels of safety and security that we have, but also ensures that we can continue to give passengers a good experience."
Smaller airports - including Teesside, London City and Newcastle are expected to go live with the new technology on time.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
"These cutting-edge scanners will make air travel safer and easier for passengers by strengthening security even further.
"The UK is leading the world with its roll-out of this technology, but it’s important we give those airports yet to meet the deadline a second chance to get the job done.
"Until they do, passengers should continue to check before travelling."
Financial penalties could be handed down to any airports that miss any further deadlines.
The government says powers to achieve this, under the Aviation Security Act, will be 'explored and taken forward in the coming months.'