Every time you jet off on holiday, going through airport security just seems to get more and more complicated.
But ministers are finally hoping to simplify the process – and one idea could see your luggage being checked while you are shopping in duty free.
The Government has invited companies and universities to compete for a share of a £3million fund, to develop new ways of detecting explosive devices concealed in electrical items.
The aim is to maintain the same level of security, while speeding up the process – particularly for families with young children.
This means that airport officials could drop the need to remove laptops, phones and tablets from hand luggage.
The aim is to maintain the same level of security, while speeding up the process – particularly for families with young children (stock photo)
The Department for Transport said other options could include the development of portable scanners to screen items at ‘other points in the passenger journey’ – from the check-in desks to the duty-free shops.
Security officials or police could impose random checks in the terminal building.
Another plan could be boosting the technology at security so electrical devices do not have to be removed and scanned separately.
EU rules require laptops and other electrical items to be removed from hand luggage because they can be particularly difficult to screen.
Once ready for commercial use, the DfT said the new technologies will ‘enhance our ability to prevent terrorist attacks on aviation while improving the experience of passengers’.
Security minister Ben Wallace said: ‘Aviation security is a government priority and one with an ever changing threat landscape.
‘We need to embrace and encourage the talent from industry that will allow us to stay several steps ahead of those who wish us harm.’
And Lord Callanan, minister for aviation, said: ‘The safety and security of the travelling public will always be our top priority, but we understand that this can sometimes be inconvenient for passengers – especially families with young children.
‘As technology improves we want to make the aviation experience quicker and easier for all.’
It means that airport officials could drop the need to remove laptops, phones and tablets from hand luggage
Last night a source stressed that it is likely to take years for any new technology to be introduced.
But the commitment to reduce hassle for passengers will be refreshing for many travellers who have endured bigger queues at security and at passport control.
In March, the United States banned large electronics in cabins on flights from ten airports in the Middle East and North Africa over fears that explosives could be hidden in them.
And rules banning anything bigger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct flights to the UK were introduced shortly afterwards.
They covered journeys from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
The US lifted the ban over the summer, while restrictions are gradually being lifted in the UK.