Philip Hammond, Transport Secretary, has recently announced that the 100ml liquids ban which is currently implemented at all UK Airports is to be relaxed, with the view to removing the rule completely by 2013.
The liquids ban was enforced back in 2006 following suspicious activity from terrorists who attempted, but failed, to smuggle separate items of a bomb on board a passenger flight with the plan to assemble an explosive device mid-air.
The news will come as a sigh of relief for many passengers throughout the UK, especially mothers, who in the past have been required to test jarred food or bottled milk for their babies to prove it was not disguising an explosive.
The ban will begin to be relaxed as of 2011, with the initial stage allowing passengers to take large duty free liquid items on board connecting flights in Europe as hand luggage, however they will still be subjected to the safety procedures of being screened and placed in clear plastic bags.
Aerosols, gels and creams in containers larger than 100ml will also be among the first items to benefit from the relaxation of the rules; however it will be a gradual transition until the ban is completely removed in 2013, which will eventually see passengers able to take large containers of liquid in their hand luggage.
