‘Temporary’ security restriction remains in force at Jersey Airport

HOPES that passengers flying out of Jersey Airport might no longer be restricted to small containers of liquids in their hand luggage have been dashed – for the moment at least.

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the current rules in August 2006, an airport spokesman said there were no specific plans to scrap the 100-millilitre limit that applies to drinks, cosmetics and foodstuffs.

Liquids of up to two litres can be packed in hand luggage by passengers from seven of the 17 UK airports with direct links to Jersey, making up around two-thirds of the 315,000 passenger arrivals over the first six months of this year.

After the installation of new scanning equipment was completed, Jersey Airport scrapped the restriction in March 2024, but within three months it was re-introduced as a “temporary” measure, with Ports of Jersey citing a directive from “the [UK] Department for Transport in conjunction with the Channel Islands Director of Civil Aviation”.

Asked about the issue by the JEP this week, a Ports of Jersey spokesperson said: “The technology currently in place at Jersey Airport is also used at a number of other airports, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities and the manufacturer to explore opportunities for enhancing its capability – any changes must be carefully assessed and approved to ensure they can be introduced safely and securely.

“We appreciate our passengers’ patience and understanding, and we look forward to implementing improvements as soon as we can.”

It remains unclear exactly where the responsibility lies for any decision to change the current rules, as has happened at UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham and Bristol.

Manchester Airports Group, which includes three sites which still have the 100ml restriction – Stansted, East Midlands and Manchester – said that while all three airports had completed the installation of new scanners, its provider of security services was “awaiting clearance from the Department for Transport to be able to lift the 100ml restriction and allow liquids up to two litres”.

But the DfT did not acknowledge a timetable for any clearance, saying only that “the UK has one of the most robust aviation security regimes in the world”.

A department spokesperson added: “Some airports have new technology that will allow liquid containers up to two litres to be taken through security in hand luggage – passengers should continue to check with airports before they travel, and come with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml unless advised otherwise.”

International security specialist Bruce Schneier criticised the current situation when interviewed during the Daily Telegraph’s Travel Expert podcast, saying it was “absurd” and “100 per cent security theatre”.