by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 10:05 AM ET, Thu April 3, 2025
Travellers departing from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) no longer need to remove laptops or liquids from carry-on bags at security checks, thanks to the installation of advanced Smiths Detection computed tomography (CT) scanners across all 19 security lanes.
The new piece of 3D X-ray technology allows liquids, aerosols and gels to remain packed away during screening, as long as they don't exceed the 100-ml limit.
Medical devices and other large electronics — including laptops — can stay in the carry-on bags as well.
Additionally, liquid containers no longer need to be placed in separate clear plastic bags.
This upgrade is part of a broader initiative announced by the UK government in December 2022, which mandates major UK airports to replace older 2D screening technology with more sophisticated CT security scanners.
Initially, the deadline for completing this upgrade was June 2024, but the Department for Transport (DfT) granted extensions to some airports, including Gatwick, pushing the deadline back by a year.
While there were hopes that the new scanners would enable travellers to carry liquids in larger containers (up to two litres), the DfT reintroduced the 100ml limit in June 2023.
Thanks to the new scanners, the airport says, more than 95% of passengers are passing through security in under five minutes.
The new machines have been rolling out in Canada since last Fall, at Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa, with more to come in 2025.
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