Travellers are being caught out by new rules at certain UK airports, as people are reminded to check their airport’s regulations before flying to prevent upset and delays
People are being caught out by the new airport rules (stock image)(Image: Getty)
As of January, passengers flying from certain UK airports can now carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage, replacing the long-standing 100ml limit, thanks to new CT scanners. In a statement, Heathrow Airport said: “Passengers travelling through all terminals at Heathrow no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security.
“The UK’s hub has become the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next-generation CT (computed tomography) security scanners – a move that promises faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys for millions of travellers.”
UK airports that have ditched the 100ml rule
Belfast International
Belfast City
Birmingham
Bristol
Edinburgh
London Gatwick
London Heathrow
However, the change has not been rolled out across every airport – with many still sticking to the 100ml rule and requiring liquids to be removed and placed in clear plastic bags.
UK airports still enforcing the 100ml rule
Aberdeen
Bournemouth
Cardiff
East Midlands
Glasgow International
Glasgow Prestwick
Inverness
Isle of Man
Leeds Bradford
Liverpool
Luton
London City Airport
Manchester
Newcastle
Newquay
Norwich
Southampton
Southend
Stansted
Teesside
Exemptions still apply for essential medicines, baby food, and milk, as well as special dietary requirements.
Travellers are being urged to check their departure airport’s rules before flying – especially ahead of the busy Easter holidays – to avoid delays or having items confiscated at security.
Reacting to the change, one traveller flying from Gatwick Airport wrote on Reddit: “Makes the journey just that little bit less stressful. Leave everything in your bag – laptop too.”
Another added: “Edinburgh is the same, which is really handy.”
A third explained: “This is because a new generation of scanners is being rolled out that allows more liquids and means you don’t have to remove laptops – but only a few airports have them so far.”
However, not everyone is convinced.
One user said: “This change is useless until all major airports follow suit. It’s fine on the way out, but if your return airport still has the old rules, you end up throwing things away. It also causes confusion, especially when different London airports have different rules. It should be all or nothing.”
Another added: “I’ve been travelling with just carry-on for years now and wouldn’t go back. There’s something freeing about not carrying full-size toiletries when you only need a small amount.”
A writer visited the stunning Mediterranean island of Gozo, part of Malta, which boasts 300 days of sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and incredible scenery just a short flight from the UK
Holly Clarke and Chloe Dobinson
02:00, 21 Mar 2026
Holly Clarke visits travels to Gozo a short 20 minute trip from Malta
When off to a European destination during the winter months, its impossible to bank on good weather, however far in the Continent you’re planning on going.
Recently, the Liverpool Echo’s Holly Clarke took a chance with the weather and embarked on a journey to the Maltese Archipelago. Not only did she strike gold in meteorological terms, but the Mediterranean island chain proved to be an absolute treasure.
From exploring the streets of the silent city of Mdina to experiencing the energy and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there genuinely is something for everyone, including fantastic nightlife in St Julian’s, the pristine waters of the Blue Lagoon, and sufficient churches on the island for every day of the year.
Holly departed from Manchester Airport at 7am and was wandering around the breathtaking Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also easily accessible from John Lennon Airport and various other airports throughout the UK.
As much as Holly loved Malta, it was its much smaller, lesser-visited neighbour that really stole her heart.
There are three islands which constitute the Republic of Malta: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population out of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.
Before Holly realised it, she was setting off on a ferry to the island of Gozo, which is developing a new £2million airport that’ll make journeys from Malta considerably quicker. For the time being, the ferry is direct and costs approximately 5 Euros for a return ticket.
Within just 20 minutes, she had arrived on the gorgeous, less-frequented island. The 26-square-mile stretch of land is famed for its rugged terrain and spectacular scenery, and it certainly lived up to expectations. It provides everything from excellent seafood, jaw-dropping views, and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming.
Gozo is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another bonus of the island is that it boasts 300 days of sunshine – that sealed the deal for Holly!
Numerous tourists spend a night or two on the island, but she was aware she’d only be there for a day, so there was no time to waste. Holly’s chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she absolutely loved.
Holly was driven around by Joe, who has spent his entire life on the island. As she sat in the rear of the tuk-tuk, Holly marvelled at the gorgeous hills, which brought to mind the striking landscapes of the UK. The main distinction was the azure sky and brilliant yellow orb breaking through the clouds, something she hadn’t witnessed for several months back in England.
First stop, a bay named Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, run by Gozo Adventures. It provided the ideal chance to embrace a more adventurous side whilst soaking in the stunning valley panoramas.
Having never climbed previously, it’s reasonable to say Holly’s legs were trembling slightly as she gazed up to the summit of the valley where she was meant to be climbing. But after observing the thorough demonstration from Cornil at Gozo Adventures, Holly gave it her best shot and felt incredible afterwards.
After building up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite aspect of any journey: the cuisine. She jumped in a vehicle and made her way to a restaurant on the marina, Il-Kartell. The seafood establishment was the ideal location for lunch, situated on the waterfront, which provided views of the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.
The restaurant bills itself as “casual dining by the sea”, so she opted for the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t let down. It will rank as one of the most unforgettable pasta dishes she has ever tasted.
It’s evident from just a few brief hours on the island that life there isn’t hurried. Back home, it’s simple to find yourself grabbing a sandwich on the commute to work, or occasionally forgetting to pick up anything at all.
In Malta and Gozo, both residents and tourists spend at least an hour or two enjoying lunch. Beginning with bread and olive oil before diving into a pasta dish and concluding with a double espresso, it was pleasant to find time to decelerate and savour the world a little more.
Nevertheless, there was no opportunity for a mid-afternoon lull as there was so much to explore before the ferry back to Malta. Next on the schedule were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.
The northern coastline is distinguished by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans, which are 350-years-old. They are remarkable to observe and are also steeped in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been handed down for many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Perched high above Ramla Bay, the cave provided the most stunning panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.
The cave can be accessed via a short 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s absolutely a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make it. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a couple of steps to one of the finest views she has ever witnessed.
It was rather crowded with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to capture a photo overlooking the bay.
It wouldn’t be a visit to Gozo without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Situated on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city visible from across the island, towering high in the Gozian skyline.
It is found in Victoria, also referred to as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, and is amongst the island’s most iconic landmarks. The Citadel was formerly a flourishing city before it was converted into a castle in medieval times. Many of the old houses and palaces here have been restored into museums and shops, making it a popular tourist destination.
It’s free to visit, and you could spend hours discovering the fascinating history and exploring its key attractions. We admired the Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed entirely of local limestone. Simply strolling around the Citadel provides panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites available. Regrettably, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.
If Holly had stayed overnight, a sunset viewing at the Citadel or an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect end to the trip.
Carol Hutchins had been looking forward to a sunny break in the TUI Magic Life Hotel in Fuerteventura with her daughter, Layla, at the end of October, but she didn’t get further than the airport
Layla and Carol Hutchins had been looking forward to their holiday in Fuerteventura
A disabled woman has been left “very upset” after she missed her holiday to the Canary Islands because of her mobility scooter battery.
Carol Hutchins had been looking forward to a sunny break in the TUI Magic Life Hotel in Fuerteventura with her daughter, Layla, at the end of October. However, the mum-and-daughter duo’s dream trip ended at Manchester Airport, where staff told them Carol’s scooter couldn’t be loaded onto the plane.
Carol has been left “very upset” by the missed holiday and the fact that she’s over £1,000 out of pocket. There is no suggestion that TUI did not follow protocol. However, Carol and Layla’s experience serves as a warning to Brits travelling overseas with a mobility scooter.
A TUI spokesperson explained: “We’re sorry that Ms Hutchins wasn’t able to travel on her holiday, and we recognise how upsetting that must have been for her. This was due to them not having the required documentation and battery identification information for their electric mobility aid, which meant it couldn’t be cleared to fly under safety guidance. The TUI airport team supported her on the day and explored alternative options, which she chose not to accept.”
Carol booked her holiday to the sun-soaked Canary Islands at the TUI Doncaster store on 23 October 2025. As the booking was made within two weeks of departure, the travel agent called the welfare team while Carol was in the shop, to make sure the mobility scooter was added to the booking.
When a mobility aid is added to a holiday booking, customers receive the Conditions of Carriage, which include important instructions passengers must follow before their flight.
They state: “The battery or batteries should clearly be labelled showing the type and the watt-hour (Wh) rating. Failure to show this can lead to refusal of battery or batteries. Please carry the manufacturer’s operating instructions with you, which will help you and the airport staff to block the vehicle’s electric circuits and remove the battery if necessary.”
According to TUI, the Conditions of Carriage were emailed to Ms Hutchins four times as her booking was updated, and given twice again alongside ticket documentation.
When Carol and Layla arrived at Manchester Airport on October 29, her battery did not have any visible ID label, meaning airport staff could not legally clear it under safety regulations.
An on-site duty manager contacted the resort team in Fuerteventura to find an alternative mobility scooter she could use on her holiday.
However, according to Layla, Carol did not feel comfortable travelling without her own or with the idea that she might be without one for a period once at her destination.
According to TUI, Carol and Layla turned down the offer of two alternative flights and goodwill vouchers.
TUI’s website has a section that explains what customers on mobility scooters need to know and do before they travel.
Before flying with your electric mobility aid, you’ll need to:
Check your battery type and specifications
Provide battery details to TUI in advance
Bring manufacturer documentation to the airport
TUI accepts these battery types:
Non-spillable batteries (like AGM, Gel Cell, SLA)
Lithium batteries with specific watt-hour limits:
Single battery: maximum 300Wh
Two batteries: maximum 160Wh each
However, wet cell (spillable) batteries are not permitted on TUI flights.
Important pre-flight steps:
Share your device’s battery details with TUI as early as possible
