Passengers have been advised they may need to allow for extra time at security
A major UK airport has told passengers they may need ‘extra time’ for security checks if they’re carrying certain items with them. Heathrow Airport clarified the rules for airline passengers after a customer reached out via social media.
Raising a question for Heathrow’s team, the passenger explained they were travelling with a tin of ground coffee and a health supplement in powder form – two popular items commonly found in luggage. In response, the airport explained that passengers can usually carry these items in their cabin baggage.
However, it is advised to pack them in hold luggage wherever possible. Otherwise, passengers may be required to complete additional checks at security, and they should allow for ‘extra time’.
Posting on X, the passenger said: “Heathrow Airport. Hi team, I will be flying to Sofia, Bulgaria in about two weeks time. Is it possible to bring a tin of ground coffee and magnesium supplement in a form of powder in my cabin bag? Please let me know.”
The airport replied: “Food or powders should be packed into hold baggage where possible. Although these items are permitted in hand luggage (except some flights to the US), they can obstruct images on the x-ray machine, or may be mistaken for suspicious items – so putting them in the hold will help reduce the need for additional checks.
“Passengers who need to take these items on board should therefore allow extra time at security. For further information go to http://gov.uk.”
More information about hand luggage restrictions at UK airports is available on GOV.UK. The guidance says: “Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.”
Restrictions also apply to liquids, lighters, frozen items, and some sports equipment. The advice continues: “Airport security staff will not let anything through that they consider dangerous – even if it’s normally allowed in hand luggage.”
However, passengers travelling through Heathrow terminals no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage. Earlier this year, the airport announced that it had rolled out CT security scanners across all four terminals as part of a £1bn upgrade.
Heathrow Airport said the new technology allows passengers to move through checkpoints more quickly by providing even better images of cabin baggage, cutting preparation time and easing pressure during peak travel periods. It is estimated to save almost 16 million plastic bags per year.
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