London Heathrow Airport has completed a £1 billion upgrade of its security infrastructure by fully rolling out next-generation computed tomography (CT) scanners across all four passenger terminals. This makes Heathrow the largest airport in the world to complete adoption of the technology, which is designed to improve processing efficiency at security checkpoints.

The new CT scanners produce high-resolution 3-D images of carry-on luggage, enabling security officers to inspect items virtually without passengers having to remove liquids, laptops, tablets, and other large electronics from their bags. Depending on regulatory rules at departure, passengers can now carry liquid containers up to two litres, ending the long-standing 100 ml restriction that had been in place since 2006.

By eliminating the need for routine unpacking at the security lane, Heathrow expects faster throughput and shorter queues, particularly during busy travel periods. The system’s detailed imaging and advanced threat detection improve operational reliability while reducing preparation time for passengers and lowering incidences of manual re-screening caused by incorrect packing.

Heathrow’s completion of the CT scanner rollout aligns with broader industry trends toward automation and efficiency at major airports, where similar systems are being introduced to streamline security processing while maintaining high safety standards.