Europe Reinstates 100ml Liquid Limit: Scanner Snafus Lead to Temporary Liquid Lockdown
Europe’s airports are back to a familiar scene of liquid restrictions as the 100ml rule makes a dramatic comeback. Just when it seemed like we could finally wave goodbye to those tiny, travel-sized bottles, the European Union has decided to hit the brakes on relaxed liquid rules due to a hiccup with new CT X-ray scanners.
The scanners, designed to make life easier by allowing larger volumes of liquids, seem to have hit a snag. Apparently, these high-tech gizmos have been having a tough time deciphering what’s in those mysterious bottles passengers are carrying. The exact nature of the scanner’s malfunction remains as elusive as the secret sauce on a fast-food burger, but it’s clear these machines need a little more fine-tuning.
According to Airports Council International (ACI), around 350 of these futuristic scanners are in operation across 13 EU countries. While some airports were still in the trial phase and hadn’t updated their liquid policies, others were left scrambling to reimpose the 100ml limit.
Europe Reinstates 100ml Liquid Limit
In the UK, the plan was to retire the 100ml limit by the end of 2024. Smaller airports like London City, Teesside, and Newcastle had successfully embraced the new scanners and relaxed the liquid rules. However, larger airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester, perhaps struggling with their own version of the “oops” moment, missed the deadline.
As a result, the Department for Transport (DfT) has decided to bring back the 100ml liquid limit at those airports where the rule had been relaxed. So, whether you’re catching a flight from Manchester or Munich, it’s back to the days of carefully packing your 100ml liquid essentials in those tiny, transparent bags.
In short, until the scanners get their act together, it’s back to liquid limits for all UK and EU airports. So, let’s raise a (100ml) glass to the return of familiar airport rituals, and keep those mini bottles handy!
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