London Heathrow has become the world’s largest airport to remove the notorious 100 millilitre liquids limit at security, following completion of a £1 billion installation of 3-D computed-tomography scanners across all terminals. From Friday, 23 January 2026, passengers can leave liquids up to two litres—and their laptops—in cabin bags. (independent.co.uk)
The change means faster processing and the end of single-use plastic bags for the airport’s 78 million annual travellers. For Australians transiting Heathrow, the upgrade promises shorter connections and fewer laptop extractions—though the rules apply only on departure from Heathrow; inbound stops elsewhere may still enforce 100 ml limits. (independent.co.uk)
To avoid other last-minute surprises, travellers can lean on VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) to verify visa requirements, health declarations and supporting documents for every leg of their journey—a handy complement to understanding differing airport security rules.
![Heathrow scraps 100 ml liquids rule after £1 bn CT-scanner rollout, easing security for Australia-bound passengers]()
Corporate travel managers should update pre-trip briefings to reflect the patchwork of global rules: most European hubs and many Asia-Pacific airports, including Sydney and Melbourne, still require 100 ml limits. Travellers originating in Australia must therefore pack liquids strategically for the outbound leg while enjoying greater latitude when flying home via Heathrow.
Airlines welcome the upgrade, forecasting smoother premium-lane flows and reduced secondary searches. Heathrow’s CEO Thomas Woldbye said the airport is now “the world’s largest CT-enabled hub”, positioning it ahead of the European Union’s 2027 cut-off for scanner adoption. (independent.co.uk)
For Australia-based multinationals the message is mixed: security hassle will drop on the UK side but remain until Australian airports install similar scanners—expected no earlier than 2027. Mobility teams should incorporate route-specific security guidance into traveller-tracking apps to prevent confusion at checkpoints.
The change means faster processing and the end of single-use plastic bags for the airport’s 78 million annual travellers. For Australians transiting Heathrow, the upgrade promises shorter connections and fewer laptop extractions—though the rules apply only on departure from Heathrow; inbound stops elsewhere may still enforce 100 ml limits. (independent.co.uk)
To avoid other last-minute surprises, travellers can lean on VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) to verify visa requirements, health declarations and supporting documents for every leg of their journey—a handy complement to understanding differing airport security rules.
Corporate travel managers should update pre-trip briefings to reflect the patchwork of global rules: most European hubs and many Asia-Pacific airports, including Sydney and Melbourne, still require 100 ml limits. Travellers originating in Australia must therefore pack liquids strategically for the outbound leg while enjoying greater latitude when flying home via Heathrow.
Airlines welcome the upgrade, forecasting smoother premium-lane flows and reduced secondary searches. Heathrow’s CEO Thomas Woldbye said the airport is now “the world’s largest CT-enabled hub”, positioning it ahead of the European Union’s 2027 cut-off for scanner adoption. (independent.co.uk)
For Australia-based multinationals the message is mixed: security hassle will drop on the UK side but remain until Australian airports install similar scanners—expected no earlier than 2027. Mobility teams should incorporate route-specific security guidance into traveller-tracking apps to prevent confusion at checkpoints.
