Airline passengers flying from UK airports this summer face even more confusion – with a major airport combining both the old and new rules for carrying liquids . Birmingham was one of very few UK airports that met the government deadline for installing new security scanners by 1 June. The assumption was that following the £60m investment, outbound passengers would no longer need to comply with the old limit of 100ml on liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) in cabin baggage .

Instead, they could take up to two litres through security. But officials at the West Midlands hub now say the former limits still apply, albeit with the LAGs allowed to be inside passengers’ hand luggage rather than being separately screened. The move by Birmingham airport introduces a third category of aviation security for passengers flying from UK airports: liquids can remain in baggage but must comply with the 100ml limit.

The airport says: “In due course this new equipment will allow liquids of up to two litres to be taken through in cabin baggage, however some restrictions temporarily remain in place. “Until further notice, passengers are advised that they can only carry liquids up to 100ml, albeit it can stay in hand luggage and no longer needs to be in a plastic bag.” The new rules state: In addition, all electrical items including laptops and tablets can remain in cabin baggage.

Al Titterington, the airport’s terminal operations director, said: “Once we receive the regulatory approva.