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North East tech reduces travel restrictions

Restrictions on taking liquids on planes, introduced after a terror plot to blow up transatlantic airliners, could be eased if trials of new scanners at Newcastle Airport prove successful.

The scanners are designed to identify substances such as hydrogen peroxide - a chemical that can be mixed with other ingredients to produce explosives.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Airlines said the new technology could make the restrictions unnecessary.

She said: “With better technology coming on stream, it is appropriate to review the restrictions to ensure passengers are able to make as easy a journey as possible through airport security checks.”

Current rules state that travellers can only carry 100ml containers on to an aircraft and the bottles or tubs must fit into a resealable bag measuring 20cm by 20cm.

The new scanners use an X-ray beam to shine through the liquid to detect the unique “spectral signature” of the image recorded on the other side.

The machine, developed by Sedgefield-based firm Kromek, uses the “signature” to distinguish between harmless liquids, such as water or alcohol, and potential explosives such as hydrogen peroxide.

Kromek’s Dr Arnab Basu said: “If you are trying to carry a liquid which looks and weighs very similar, but is very different in nature, this machine will recognise it very reliably.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .