MANCHESTER AIRPORT CONFISCATES 100 ITEMS IN SECURITY WARNING

Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 security staff confiscated nearly 100 items from passengers' hand luggage during a single morning in July, prompting airport bosses to issue guidance on carry-on restrictions. The confiscated items included a handgun-shaped whiskey decanter, two multipacks of yoghurt, a leg massager, 24 packs of cosmetic products, seven drinks bottles, and seven food items. The airport also removed 12 pairs of scissors, seven corkscrews, four knives, six packs of tools, two loose chisels, and a pair of pliers. Gun-shaped items seized included a BB gun with two packs of ball bearings, three NERF guns, and toy firearms.

The Civil Aviation Authority sets security rules enforced at UK airports, which prohibit liquids in containers larger than 100ml, sharp objects or blades exceeding 6cm in length, and items designed to resemble firearms in hand luggage. Manchester Airport, the UK's third most popular airport, is among those awaiting CAA approval to remove the 100ml liquid restriction following installation of new 3D scanning technology. Sakib Mahmood, security duty manager at Terminal 2, stated that manual searches of non-compliant bags can take several minutes, creating delays not only for the affected passenger but for others waiting in the security queue.

The airport reported that more than 97 per cent of passengers cleared security checks in under 15 minutes. Airport officials advised holidaymakers to review CAA rules before packing hand luggage to avoid confiscation of items and prevent delays during the peak summer travel period.