IT’S IMPORTANT to know what you can and can’t pack in your hand luggage when travelling through airport security.
While lots of unusual items like human remains and animal horns are allowed to be taken onto a plane, there are some restrictions on common household items, including kids’ toys.
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Even though most children’s toys will make it through the security gate without a hitch, one much-loved item has recently caused a stir at one UK airport.
Earlier today, Birmingham International Airport issued a warning to passengers after one holidaymaker was stopped at the security gate with a tub of slime.
Airport bosses shared a picture of a large tub of slime, which had been confiscated because it flouted the 100ml liquid rules.
Tubs of slime are popular with younger children thanks to their gooey texture.
However, its sticky texture means it doesn’t adhere to the 100ml liquid restrictions set out by UK airports.
Other liquid items like a can of Red Bull and full-sized bottles of hand wash and sun cream, which were also over 100ml, were also confiscated at the airport.
The new comes after Birmingham International Airport became the first major airport in the UK to install a series of new CT scanners.
While the new CT scanners should allow passengers to carry liquid items of up to two litres in their hand luggage, a regulatory delay means the 100ml restriction on liquid items will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Al Titterington, Terminal Operations Director of Birmingham Airport said: “We have invested £60m in our new security search area to ensure readiness for the 1st June 2024.
“Whilst the airport is ready with its new security technology, we are awaiting the final approval of the 2L liquid allowance.
“In the meantime any customers travelling through the airport can take liquids, pastes and gels up to 100ml loose, and no longer in plastic bags, in their hand luggage.
“Additionally, electricals can stay in their bags and do not need to be removed at the security search area.”
With airports across the country, and the globe, enforcing a variety of different hand luggage restrictions, Travel trade association ABTA encouraged passengers to stick to the current 100ml rules.
Its message is simply to carry on “as if nothing has changed” for the time being, until more airports have the tech in place.
The UK government website states that, frozen breast milk is not allowed in hand luggage.
It said: “When travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however check with your airport before you travel.
“You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby, however you cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.
“Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids.”
Cooling gel packs are also allowed to keep any breast milk, formula milk or baby food chilled.
Accessories that convert seats into beds are banned by some airlines such as Qantas and British Airways.
British Airways explained: “Devices not allowed include, but are not restricted to, seat extenders for children, hammocks for lap held infants, inflatable footrests and devices that attach to the seat to restrict movement or for leg support (bed boxes).”
This is because seat extenders pose a health and safety risk in the event of an emergency.
Any toys that imitate weapons are banned – even if it’s unlikely that they will cause any injury.
They can also get flagged at security checks, especially when going through x-ray machines.
Any toy that could resemble a weapon should be placed into the hold, as the government advises that “imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)” are banned.
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It’s all because it’s impossible for airport security to tell how much liquid is in them.
GOING through airport security can be a stressful experience, so it's important to be aware of strict hand luggage rules before you travel. Most UK airports will be implementing the following rules:
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