Going through security at the airport is the most stressful part of the holiday for many passengers. There are strict rules to follow and the potential for long queues, especially if you're travelling during peak periods.

Within weeks, some airports across the UK are set to roll out new security scanners that will change the way that hand luggage is screened. The government had initially set a deadline of June 1 for airports across the country to make the upgrade, however some major airports have been granted an extension.

It means that holidaymakers travelling from June may have different rules to follow, depending on which airport they fly from. Confusion over the current security rules has caused problems at some airports in recent weeks, with a rise in the number of 'non-compliant' hand luggage being presented for screening. Birmingham Airport said recently that 15% of bags were being rejected, adding to wait times.

Read more: Major reason hand luggage bags are being 'rejected' at airport security as 'customers confused'

UK tourists jetting off abroad soon have been urged to familiarise themselves with the rules at their departure airport. See below for a breakdown of the new rules and when they'll come into effect at airports in Birmingham, Manchester and London.

What hand luggage rules are changing?

Currently, passengers travelling by plane are restricted to carrying liquids under 100ml in their hand luggage. These must be kept in a resealable, clear plastic bag when passing through security and can't exceed a maximum volume of one litre.

Electronics such as laptops and tablets also have to be removed from the bag to be scanned separately. However, once the new state-of-the-art scanners are installed, this will no longer be the case. Passengers will be able to leave their liquids and electronics in their bags and will be able to carry liquids in containers up to two litres.

Birmingham Airport

Birmingham is one of few major UK airports scheduled to make the government's initial deadline. The city airport has undergone a £60 million revamp of its security hall and some new scanners were set up at the start of April, which means that certain passengers flying abroad before June may be directed to follow the new system.

However, Birmingham Airport has told all customers to follow the current security rules until the official launch on June 1. A spokesperson said: "We wish to remind our customers that existing security restrictions remain in place ... As a reminder, customers taking liquids and electricals through security in their hand luggage should follow these instructions.

"Liquids, pastes and gels, up to 100ml, in 20 x 20cm in resealable bags should be taken out of bags and placed in the security scanning tray. All electricals are to be removed from their cases and placed separately in the security scanning tray."

London Gatwick

Gatwick is currently trialling the new technology in one of its security lanes, which means that some passengers will not need to remove their liquids and electronics from their bags for screening. However, most will have to stick to the current rules, so anyone flying from Gatwick is urged to follow the current rules for the time being.

The airport previously gave an estimate of spring 2025 for when all of its new scanners would be up and running. A spokesperson said recently: "At present, the vast majority of passengers at Gatwick will experience security as normal, so should continue to follow all existing rules, ensuring they do not carry any liquids, gels, pastes, or creams of more than 100ml in their hand luggage.

"Any items below 100ml need to be placed in a transparent, resealable bag to be screened through security, while laptops, tablets, coats, watches and belts also need to be removed and placed in a separate tray. By being prepared, we hope to get passengers through airport security quickly, so they can go on and relax ahead of their flight, enjoy a drink or sit down for a meal."

Manchester and Stansted Airports

Manchester Airports Group, which runs Manchester, East Midlands and Stansted airports, said its scanners will be fully operational in 2025. A spokesperson said previously that the scanners would be introduced 'lane by lane' but said good progress had been made.

Bosses said the new scanners, which use computer tomography (CT) scans rather than X-ray technology, would be in place on 'a large number' of security lanes by the June deadline, but urged passengers to follow the existing hand luggage rules until the upgrade is completed.

London Heathrow

Heathrow Airport is said to be aiming to have its new security scanners set up in all terminals by this summer. By the end of February, the upgraded computers were already set up in terminals two, three and five, however the airport confirmed it had 146 security lanes to replace in total.

Heathrow previously said it was working alongside the department on timelines while ensuring passengers flow smoothly through security during the transition.