Major UK airport scraps some of the strict liquid and electronics rules just in time for summer
A MAJOR British airport has axed some of its stringent rules on liquids and tech just in time for the rest of the summer holiday travel rush.
Passengers jetting off from Luton airport will no longer need to take theirs out of bags to get through security.
The airport has splurged out on a set of £20 million scanners which will make getting through that tiresome section of your journey that much easier.
Travellers won’t have to remove cosmetic liquids, laptops, phones, or tablets from their hand luggage as they make their way through.
Government regulations on liquids for flying will still apply, meaning each item should be 100ml or less.
The security lanes have been kitted out with “state-of-the-art body scanners and CT scanner technology” and “next generation security scanners”.
Luton is also launching a “Prebook Security” initiative, a free service offering passengers the chance to book a time slot for going through security.
Currently running on a trial basis, passengers can reserve a 10-minute timeslot for security.
Travellers can then head for the Prebook Security sign where a team member will be waiting, so they can avoid the long queues.
It is advised to book the slot as early as possible, with it open four days before the flight but available 60 minutes before the flight depending on availability.
While it is free, it can currently only be used between peak times of 3am and 4:30am.
Luton has also launched its new 24-hour Express Drop Off.
Passengers can now be dropped off right in front of the terminal, so anyone rushing to their flight can head straight to the check in desk.
It comes with a price – drivers have to pay £5 for a five minute stay, with an additional £1 per minute, up to 20 minutes maximum.
But the new option means holidaymakers won’t have to travel from the Mid Stay carpark, which is a 10 minute walk or Long Stay carpark, which is a 10 minute shuttle bus.
The London airport said it’s expecting a whopping 220,000 passengers to pass through just this weekend.
A total of 2.5 million are set to use it over the rest of the school summer holidays, meaning plenty of frazzled parents might be grateful for the added ease while navigating security.
Chief Operations Officer at Luton, Neil Thompson, said: “We are delighted to become one of the first major airports to offer the benefits of next generation security to all passengers.
“This investment provides London Luton Airport with enhanced screening technology that will significantly elevate the service provided to passengers flying from LLA this summer and beyond, aligning perfectly with the simple, friendly passenger experience we always look to deliver.”
Luton was recently named as one of the best in the world after it won the best airport award for the 10-25million passenger category, beating out others in Brussels and Spain.