LIQUID rules at a major UK airport are set to be relaxed, following the installation of new high-tech security scanners.

From today (June 14), passengers will no longer need to keep their liquids in in a see-through plastic bag, but they will still be restricted to 100ml per bottle for the time being.

People travelling through Bristol Airport will eventually be permitted to carry 330ml containers, which will be able to remain in their bags for the security checks.

Laptops and electronic devices can also be left inside hand luggage, with the new scanners negating the need for them to be removed.

However, the rules haven’t been completely removed yet and for now, some stricter restrictions remain in place.

A spokesperson for the airport told i: “Until UK Government guidance changes, passengers at Bristol airport will continue to be restricted to 100ml max liquids in their hand luggage.”

Nevertheless, Bristol Airport bosses hope the current rule changes will enable people to travel smoothly through the airport, with minimal fuss.

Chief operating officer, Graeme Gamble, told the BBC that the new “state-of-the-art technology will reduce customer stress and inconvenience”.

He added: “The need for 100ml liquids to be placed in clear, plastic bags and removed from hand baggage will no longer be required.

“The new process delivers a much more customer friendly security operation using the latest technology and providing enhanced screening, allowing customers to keep personal items in their hand luggage.”

The strict liquid rules were originally introduced in 2006, following a terrorism plot, but were only intended to be temporary.

However, it has taken until now for that to be addressed, with the new scanners now set to be installed at every UK airport.

Initially, each of the travel hubs had been given until June this year to get them fitted, but some have missed the deadline.

Bristol is one of eight airports to have the new scanners in place, alongside Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Aberdeen, London City, Teesside and Southend.

Elsewhere, some of the country’s biggest airports aren’t due to have them in place until next year, after running into problems with their installation.

London Gatwick, London Stansted, East Midlands and Manchester Airport are among those to have missed the initial deadline and have said the scanners won’t be ready until 2025.

Head of Travel Lisa Minot on the rule changes

The Sun’s Head of Travel, Lisa Minot explained: “WE’RE heading into a summer of chaos and confusion as the changes to airport security threaten to create lengthy queues.

“While travellers were delighted to hear that new scanners would mean they no longer had to restrict liquids to 100ml the sudden about-turn could lead to even more problems.

“Birmingham Airport – alongside Bristol, London City, Teeside, Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle, Aberdeen and Southend, now have the new CT scanners installed. But regulatory issues mean some restrictions are still in place with liquids.

“The mixed messages – and the fact the new scanners are still not operational at our larger airports like Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester – are a recipe for confusion.

“It’s essential that passengers check before flying what the rules are at their departure airport. And also, it’s worth remembering that not all airports in destinations yet have the new scanners so you’ll still need to follow the current rules on your return journey.

“While travellers get used to the new systems – confusing as they are – lengthy delays at airport security are almost inevitable.”

Elsewhere, Heathrow is set to finish its installation before the end of this year but has urged passengers to continue preparing for security “as normal” for the time being.

That has been the message elsewhere, with passengers warned not to throw away their transparent toiletry bags just yet.

Sun Travel’s resident flight attendant said: “Your local airport may have the scanners in place, but your destination probably won’t just yet.

“You don’t want to spend the last day of your holiday searching for a transparent bag, nor do you want to leave your favourite cosmetics behind after your holiday.

“So for the time being, it’s best to just continue to prepare as you have been until more places are ready to ditch the rules.”

Meanwhile, Brits have been warned about long queues at this popular holiday destination’s airport.

And passengers have been seen queuing for hours at this UK airport with chaos at its security gates.

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