In December 2022, Minister for Transport Mark Harper announced that certain security processes in airports will be relaxed beginning June 2024.
The most significant of these will be the removal of the 100ml liquid rule at large, major airports. Currently, passengers are only allowed to travel with liquids in their hand luggage if the liquid is 100ml or less: ever since this rule was introduced in 2006, following a terrorist threat it has provided extra stress for passengers all across the globe. Furthermore, the department for transport also announced that in the future we can expect to not have to take out our electronic devices at security due to more advanced screening. Which consequently reduce hassle for travellers even more.
In the future we can expect to not have to take out our electronic devices at security
However, the European Union’s new travel adjustments have not been as welcomed as others. In December 2022, The European Commission declared that by June 30th 2023 EU member states will make 5G frequency bands available on planes, as 5G operates on a different frequency levels to aeroplanes therefore has a lower chance of interfering with their systems. Many have responded positively to this ruling stating that it will allow them to stay more connected to the world, particularly on longer flights. Likewise, for nervous flyers, having access to the world and staying in contact with loved ones may provide a calming outlet for their anxieties. Yet, on the other hand, frequent travellers have stated that allowing phone calls on flights will heavily disrupt peace on planes as volume levels will be much louder if multiple people are talking at once.
Conclusively, both the UK’s Department for Transport and the EU Commission have advised passengers prior to travelling to check whether these new measures will apply to them, as these changes will be implemented in phases and only at certain airports/ on certain airlines.
