Edinburgh airport orders scanners which will end limits on amount of liquid

Edinburgh airport has ordered new bag scanners, which are expected to put an end to limitations on how much liquid passengers can travel with.

The eight new check-in scanners produce 3D images, which will also get rid of the need to remove electronic devices, liquids and gels from hand luggage.

Passengers will be able to carry up to two litres of liquid onto planes.

Smiths Detection was awarded the contract to supply the scanners to the capital’s airport, which saw more than 11.3 million passengers last year.

The firm’s HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX is a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner, which delivers quicker baggage assessment and low false-alarm rates.

Smiths said that the scanner produces high quality images, fast delivery, and a “very detailed” analysis of a bag’s content, “allowing security operators to easily spot items that shouldn’t be there”.

Staff will be able to zoom in and rotate images to inspect items more clearly.

The company’s head of market, Andy Evripides, said: “We are delighted to be supplying Edinburgh Airport with our leading CT checkpoint X-ray scanner.

“The system provides higher levels of safety and security, leading to a significantly improved passenger experience by allowing them to pass through security with less hassle and the need to unpack and repack their hand luggage.

“The system also uses the least energy of its type on the market, helping airports reach their sustainability goals.”

Major airports across the country have been given a deadline of mid-2024 by the UK government to install CT scanners.

The scanners are expected to be phased into Edinburgh Airport throughout 2024.

For the time being, passengers should continue to prepare for security as normal – with no more than one litre worth of liquids and any liquids being carried must be under 100ml, with all liquids fitting into one clear bag.

Laptops, tablets and large electricals must also be removed from bags and placed into security trays.

Adam Wilson, Chief Operating Officer at Edinburgh Airport, said: “Providing passengers with a smooth and safe experience through security is incredibly important to us and the implementation of the new Smiths Detection HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX will deliver that as we adopt this new technology.

“Safety is always paramount and by moving forward with these innovative and next generation scanners, we will maintain those high security standards while helping passengers move through the airport quicker.”