Liquid ban on flights from large airports could be lifted by 2012, EC suggests

23/09/2009

By Nick Jones.

The ban on passengers carrying liquids onto aircrafts could be lifted at some UK airports.

Proposals from the European Commission (EC) suggest that the rule be phased out at large airports such at Gatwick and Stansted that handle more than ten million passengers per year in 2012.

However, smaller airports such as Liverpool, East Midlands and Edinburgh could keep the ruling until 2014, the EC proposed.

Stephen Hogan of airport scanner manufacturer Rapiscan told the Guardian: "We believe that having one rule for passengers departing large airports and another rule for passengers leaving smaller airports is bound to cause confusion and uncertainty for the travelling public."

It was also suggested that smaller airports could lift restrictions earlier than 2014 if they buy EC-approved security scanners.

Under current rules travellers are only allowed to carry liquid in containers no larger than 100ml.

London Heathrow is the world's busiest international airport, offering flights to more than 180 destinations in 90 countries.