How CT Scanners are changing UK air travel

What are CT Scanners?

A CT Scan stands for a computerised tomography scan. It's an industry-leading X-ray machine that can produce extremely detailed images.

These are often used in the medical field to spot injuries or diagnose disorders. However, it can also be used to scan objects such as bags to detect what's inside.

New state-of-the-art CT Scanners are being introduced across various UK airports, which will improve the screening process of your luggage when it goes through airport security.

CT Scanners were trialled at airports a while back. However, it's only recently that there has been a push in airports to use them. As advancements to X-Ray technology continue to improve, so will your airport experience.

CT Scanners and airport security

Many but not all UK airports have adopted CT Scanners. If you're flying to a popular UK airport, chances are CT Scanners will be used. Many other countries also have airports that utilise CT Scanners, such as in the United States and Japan.

If your airport has a CT Scanner, then it will be used to check your bags as they pass through security. When your bag goes through the scanner, it can flag up any suspicious items such as sharp objects or prohibited medications.

Airports with CT Scanners offer a more sufficient security experience. Items are scanned faster and with a lower chance of error, resulting in a reduced likelihood of manual bag inspection.

How CT Scanners are changing UK airports

CT Scanners are making people's airport security experience quicker. As CT Scanners generate clear X-rays, for many airports, you'll no longer have to remove your items from your bags. This means you won't have to hastily take out your liquids to put them in a plastic bag. And you won't have to rummage to find all your electronics. Instead, you can keep them all neatly stored inside your hand luggage.

Please be aware that this doesn't currently mean you can exceed the general liquid maximum of 100ml per container. While most airports with CT Scanners won't require you to place liquids in a plastic bag, you still cannot bring more than the 100ml limit.

With better scanners, there's also a lower chance that your bag will need to be manually searched. Granted, there will still be times when this happens, but as CT Scanners continue to improve, the likelihood of this occurring decreases.

All together, this leads to a faster security experience and shorter queues!

Note: As airports are still rolling out CT Scanners, items may get flagged more than usual, leading to more manual inspections. This is because the scanners are still being fine-tuned. In the long run, however, manual inspections will become less common.

Which UK airports use up-to-date CT Scanners?

• Gatwick
• London City
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Edinburgh
• Leeds Bradford
• Luton
• Newcastle
• Southend
• Teesside
• More coming soon

What we can expect for the future of UK air travel

As more airports start implementing top-grade CT Scanners, there are a few things we can predict for the future of UK air travel.

• Liquids no longer have to be kept in liquid bags.
• Even faster security.
• Fewer queues even during peak seasons (summer and Christmas).
• Later arrival times at airports thanks to shorter queues.
• Smaller chances of your bag requiring a manual search, saving time.
• The eventual removal of the 100ml liquid rule, allowing passengers to bring larger containers.

Notice: Not all UK airports have added CT Scanners yet. Make sure to research whether both your arrival and departure airports will include CT Scanners. If they don't, then the usual rules will apply of taking out your belongings and keeping liquids in a plastic bag.