New CT scanners at airports could slash baggage costs – but which airline charges most?

New CT scanners at airports are set to end the 100millilitre restriction on packing liquids in hand luggage – a move which could not only save travellers hassle, but also money. 

The new scanners, which are being rolled out across the country, could save a family of four £360 on hold luggage costs on a Jet2 flight, according to flight comparison site Wowtickets.

This is assuming that travellers used hand luggage only, instead of having to pay extra for hold baggage just so that they could bring liquids over 100millilitres on board. 

Time saving: London City Airport says the CT scan technology allows it to process a third more passengers per hour 

Those who needed hold baggage to bring extra belongings would still pay the same. 

The CT scanners capture hundreds of 2D x-ray images which are then assembled by a computer to create a 3D image which can then be rotated by security staff, meaning that electronics and liquids do not need to be removed from baggage.

According to the Government, airports have until June 2024 to upgrade their screening equipment. This will raise the hand luggage liquid limit to two litres per item, compared with the current 100ml rule.

How much does hold luggage cost? 

The costs involved in travelling with hold luggage can see the price of a trip skyrocket at the blink of an eye.

The cost of taking hold luggage on a British Airways flight will set you back an eye-watering £75 each way, while Virgin Atlantic will charge £65 on economy light services, but let you take it for free for those in economy classic seats.

EasyJet proves the cheapest option at £40 each way, while Jet2 and Thomas Cook charge £45. Ryanair, meanwhile, comes in at £46, but that will only get you a 10kg bag that measures 55 x 40 x 20cm – a size that is offered for free as cabin baggage by most other airlines.

For Ryanair customers who don’t want to pay for extra baggage, they will only be entitled to a small bag measuring just 40 x 20 x 25cm.

Not cheap: Hold baggage costs can add up to more than the cost of the flights themselves, with British Airways asking for £150 for a return journey

Which airports have the new CT scanners? 

Some airports already have the scanners installed, but the limit on liquids cannot be raised to 2 litres until all airports can comply.

The deadline for doing so is June 2024, but reports indicate that major airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester will miss that. 

Wowtickets’ Dimitri Konovalovas said: ‘Whilst we appreciate that the new CT scanners will take a while to roll out to all airports, we have certainly sensed impending excitement from our customers about the changing restrictions which will allow travellers to bring larger volumes of liquids through airports in their hand luggage.’

London City airport, which has already adopted the technology, has reported that it is now able to process as many as 30 per cent more passengers through security per hour, which reduces queue times by 30 per cent year-on-year.

Wowtickets said the travel industry is expecting an increase in hand luggage only passengers as a result of the scanners, with travellers no longer forced to purchase hold luggage in order to transport large liquids.

This, in turn, will allow holiday-goers to make savings in a time when the price of going abroad has increased by as much as 70 per cent following the pandemic, according to Which?

Konovalovas added: ‘Holiday and work trips are times when people want to look their best, so many are forced into paying expensive hold luggage costs to enable them to bring their favourite shampoos, conditioners and make-up, even when they are only travelling for a couple of days.

‘These changes should mean that many will be able to travel with hand luggage only, making significant savings which can be invested in their holiday.’

‘I know plenty of people who have had to throw away valuable cosmetics when rushing to the gate, which is why travellers look forward to the impending abolishment of these rules. 

‘Less waste, saved time collecting hold luggage, and reduced hassle at security are what our customers cite as the main benefits.’

Until CT scanners come into force across the country, travellers will still be left with little choice but to purchase hold baggage from their airline if they want to take liquids away with them, or bring them back.

‘A rule initially brought in to keep travellers safe has caused delays for many people,’ Konovalovas said. ‘Airlines could lose revenue as many opt for hold-free travel, but it’s good news for travellers.’