Any seasoned traveller is familiar with the pre-security faff, rummaging around for electronics and liquids in their hand luggage – occasionally waving goodbye to some of our favourite scents and skincare essentials when we’ve failed to check if they’re less than 100ml.
Luckily for those of us who prefer to whizz through airports with just our trusty hand luggage by our sides, new technology has put an end to the two-decade 100ml liquids rule in some of the UK’s busiest airports. Heathrow is among the most recent travel hubs to introduce next-generation CT security scanners, ensuring travellers a smoother experience as of the end of January 2026.
Now, one of the UK’s fastest-growing regional airports is joining the (currently) select groups of airports that allow travellers to shimmy through security with up to two litres of liquids.
Thanks to new ‘C3’ technology, travellers passing through London Southend Airport can now leave liquids up to two litres in quantity, plus electrical items including laptops, iPads and tablets, in their cabin baggage.
Everything you need to know about travelling with liquids
London Southend will also screen all passengers using security body scanners as part of the upgrades.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said, “The process for the screening of passengers is always being improved, and the introduction of the new cabin baggage technology will help airports to ensure that these screening processes are as efficient as possible.”
While the upgrades are a win for Brits travelling out of the UK, it’s important to note that other airports around the world will still have limits on the levels of liquids that are brought in by passengers arriving and departing – so always check the rules in the destination before lugging liquids that may go to waste on your travels.
The installation of new technology is just one of many exciting advances at London Southend Airport, with the construction of a new pick-up and drop-off express lane and new routes to Switzerland, Ibiza and Munich, among others, attracting jetsetters in 2026.
