UK - Revised baggage restrictions

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UK Press release:-

The British Home Office issued the following statement on 14 August:

This morning at 00.01 August 14th the Joint Terrorism and Analysis Centre (JTAC) has changed the UK's threat level from international terrorism from Critical to Severe. This means that a terrorist attack is still highly likely. But the intelligence assessment suggests that an attack is no longer imminent.

The British Department for Transport subsequently announced that, following JTAC's decision, the following aviation security measures would apply with immediate effect to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport.

Latest update - 09:00 am - (Airport operator BAA has asked passengers not to bring hand baggage until the latest changes have been phased in at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. )

Each passenger will be permitted to carry ONE item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

No liquids of any type will be permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

Prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic

Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

NOTE: The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

Pushchairs and walking aids will be permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact the airport or their airline.