Passengers will be able to leave liquids and large electrical items in cabin luggage as they go through security in a bid to reduce hassle for passengers and speed up security queues.
As changes will be gradual over the next two years, the current rules will continue to apply for the time being, but some airports may introduce the new systems sooner.
Heathrow Airport, which has been trialling the new technology since 2019, said that at least 60 per cent of bags rejected at security checkpoints are subjected to hand searches because passengers haven’t removed all liquids from bags.
This led to passengers spending an estimated extra 2.1 minutes in security in July this year alone.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “The tiny toiletry has become a staple of airport security checkpoints, but that’s all set to change. I’m streamlining cabin bag rules at airports while enhancing security.
“By 2024, major airports across the UK will have the latest security...