TRAVEL ADVICE

The following arrangements still apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport, passengers bound for the UK on some airlines and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport. l All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports. l Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets: l Pocket–size wallets and pocket–size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags) l Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets) l Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic l Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases l Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution l For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags) l Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes) l Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs l Keys (but no electrical key fobs). l All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X–ray screened. l Pushchairs and walking aids must be X–ray screened, and only airport–provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point. In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.
Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger. There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures. Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable.
Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure.
Any questions about travel arrangements or airport security, should be directed to the airline or carrier.
The full statement can be read at http://www.dft.gov.uk.