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Guides
Going through security

Every passenger after checking in at the airport or online must pass through our security processes so we can maintain the safety and security of everyone at the airport.

So you know what to expect, we’ve created this guide. Our airport security do’s and don’ts offers easy tips to help make your security experience as smooth as possible.

Please note it is your responsibility to make sure you allow enough time to get through the security process before boarding your flight. We recommend that you arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your departure. 


Entering the security area

As you enter the security area, your boarding card will be inspected and you will be required to go through to the passenger screening process. It is your responsibility to make sure your boarding card is valid for travel and readable by our scanners.

If you’ve checked in online and printed on paper please remember:

  • Don’t fold the paper across the barcode 
  • Do make sure the print is clear and undamaged on good quality paper

Fast Track customers can enter the security area using the dedicated lane on the right hand side of the entrance.

SEE TERMINAL MAP

When arriving in the security area, please be prepared for the following:

  • To have your liquids and electronics out of your hand luggage, ready to be scanned separately. Items left in your luggage will be pulled out for a search and in turn slow down the process. 
  • Remove boots or heeled shoes ready to go through. 
  • Take off coats, jackets, belts and jumpers and remove all items from your pockets before entering the screening process.

All of these preparations can help to get passengers through security more quickly. For other hints on passing through security as quickly as possible, please read our passenger tips for airport security.

SEE AIRPORT SECURITY TIPS


Security Restrictions on Hand Luggage

All hand baggage will pass through an x-ray scanner. Packing tips are available here and full government guidance here.

GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES ON HAND LUGGAGE

Liquids, gels and pastes must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. You must pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of no more than one litre (20cm by 20cm). Each passenger may only carry one transparent bag. 

 For your convenience, plastic bags are available free of charge however we recommend that you organise your liquids prior to arriving at the airport to save time at security.

Liquids include:

  • Water and other drinks, soups, syrups 
  • Creams, lotions and oils 
  • Perfumes 
  • Sprays 
  • Gels, including hair and shower gels 
  • Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants 
  • Pastes, including toothpaste 
  • Liquid-solid mixtures 
  • Mascara 
  • Non-solid foods such as: jams, hummus or yoghurt 
  • Any other item of similar consistency

You may still:

  • Pack liquids in bags that you check-in to hold luggage - these rules and restrictions only affect hand luggage; 
  • Carry prescription medicines and food for special dietary requirements (including baby foods), for use during the journey and you must carry with you supporting documentation for these items; 
  • Buy liquids such as drinks and perfumes, either in an EU airport shop (when located beyond the point where you show your boarding pass), or on board an aircraft operated by an EU airline. If they are sold in a special sealed bag, do not open it before you are screened otherwise the contents may have to be surrendered at the checkpoint. (If you transfer at an EU airport, do not open the bag before screening at your transfer airport.) Please note a proof of purchase may be requested for any items you have bought;
  • If you have any doubts, please ask your airline or travel agent in advance of travel.

Food or Powders

Food and powders are permitted in hand luggage but Department for Transport recommendations encourage passengers to pack these items in hold luggage where possible. Additional security checks may apply to these items. 

Non-solid foods are only permitted through security in containers under 100ml and placed in a clear liquids bag. These could include, but are not limited to: jam, cream dips/cheeses, sauces, jelly or soup.

Baby Food and Baby Milk 

You are allowed to take baby food, baby milk and sterilised water in your hand luggage. This includes:

  • Sterilised water for the baby (must be in a baby bottle) 
  • Breast milk in containers up to 2,000ml (frozen breast milk is not allowed) 
  • Formula, soya or cow milk specifically for babies (baby must be present) 
  • Baby food of various consistencies (baby must be present)

You are allowed to take enough for your journey and in some cases this may be over 100ml. Please note that security officers may have to open the containers to test the liquids. 

Travellers with pushchairs are permitted to bring them through security but we request that they fold them down to pass through the scanner.

Essential Medicines 

You are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage. Remember to take a sufficient supply for your journey, your stay in your destination, and a reasonable amount to cover any delays. Please ensure you bring a prescription or written documentation from your doctor stating that you require the medication. Extra supplies can be carried in your hand luggage. It is advised that extra supplies be in a separate hand luggage bag in case of any loss and most airlines allow an extra hand luggage bag for medication, however please check with the relevant airline in advance of travelling.
Insulin and hypodermic needles can be carried in your hand luggage and you may keep your insulin supplies in a cooling bag. If you are taking your insulin bottles or cartridges out of their boxes, please carry one empty box which will show that the insulin needs to be kept cool.

Passengers with insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors can opt for a hand search or other screening options - your security officer will explain the options available to you. You will need to carry a letter from your doctor confirming that you have such a device. Hand held devices can be passed to the security officer for hand screening and medical equipment attached to the body must not be removed.

The Medical Device Awareness Card was launched in the UK, sponsored by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airport Operators Association (AOA), which covers both insulin pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (CGM). The card provides information for both the Security Officer and the passenger. You can print out a copy of the card from the CAA website.

More information on insulin pumps and associated medical equipment can be found at JDRF, a charity to support people with type 1 diabetes. 

See JDRF information 

Wheelchairs or walking frames can be brought through the security area but will be subject to a thorough search.

Large Electrical Items 

Items such as laptops and tablets can be taken on your flight from UK airports but must be removed from hand luggage at the search area and be placed in a tray to be scanned. Planning easy access to these devices into your packing can help to limit the time taken to pass through security checks. 

For a full list of accepted electrical items in hand luggage, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/electronic-devices-and-electrical-items

E-Cigarettes & Electronic Smoking Devices 

Passengers and crew are prohibited from carrying e-cigarettes and other battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices in checked hold baggage and are also prohibited from recharging the devices in aircraft cabins. You should therefore carry them through airport security if you want to take them on your travels. This is in accordance with the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Doc 9284). 

 You should make sure you aren’t taking over 100ml of e-liquid, but you are permitted to carry e-liquid under 100ml and ensure it is placed in a clear resealable liquid bag, in the tray ready for the x-ray scanner. 

Also worth noting is that use of e-cigarettes in UK airports, like smoking, is strictly prohibited outside of designated smoking areas.

It is an offence to carry certain items in hand luggage 

Users should reference the full list of restricted items before travel, which can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions 

To note, no sharp items and tools can be carried in hand luggage at any time. 

Non permitted items will be confiscated by security. Please note all security checks are subject to change.

Spice Bomb Extreme 

In line with Department for Transport requirements, please be aware that Spice Bomb Extreme in an opaque black bottle is not appropriate in the aviation environment and is therefore not permitted for travel through LBA. 

Spice Bomb in a clear bottle and Spice Bomb Eau de Fraiche in a frosted bottle are both in containers where it is readily apparent that liquids are contained and are permitted for travel provided they comply with the 100ml liquid allowance.


Security Checks & Body Scanners

Leeds Bradford Airport uses Security Body Scanning technology, in line with regulations set out by the UK Department for Transport

Passengers will be randomly selected for scanning or as a result of an activation on a standard security check. On passing through the scanner (stand in the indicated spot, raise your arms and the scanner rotates around you for 2 seconds), areas that are required to be checked will be highlighted to a Security Officer who will then hand search these areas. 

The scanners do not produce images of an individual, and no images can be stored or retrieved. The scanner software only indicates on a generic diagram/stick figure of the areas that need to be checked by the officer. 

The millimetre wave security scanner uses a very low power, non-ionising form of electromagnetic radiation.With the amount emitted, many times lower than that of a mobile phone, there are no known effects to health as a result. Passengers who have implanted electronic medical devices (such as a pacemaker, ICD or neurostimulator) are advised by the government agency, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), that they can use airport security body scanners. Pregnant passengers are not deemed at risk. 

A passenger who has been selected to pass through the Security body scanner, who elects to opt out, will be required to undergo an alternative screening method. This will involve an enhanced hand search conducted in a private room.


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