Airline passengers will be able to keep liquids and electronics in their bags when going through security at Owen Roberts International Airport in future thanks to new equipment that should reduce congestion and queuing times.
The airport’s owner, Cayman Islands Airports Authority, is installing new security equipment at the airport to reduce bottlenecks and delays when passing through the airport, while maintaining safety standards.
The security upgrade includes the installation of new cabin baggage screening X-ray machines, bottle liquid scanners, explosive trace detection (ETD) equipment, and QRS body scanners. The use of all of this equipment, with the exception of ETD equipment, will be a first for Owen Roberts.
The Airports Authority said that the plans were to address the “ongoing challenges” at the airport, including congestion at the security screening checkpoint, and “will enhance and streamline security processes, resulting in faster and more efficient passenger screening while maintaining the highest safety standards”.
A spokeswoman for Airports Authority confirmed that, once the new equipment is up and running, passengers will be able to keep liquids and electronics in their bags while passing through security checks, but that liquids still have to be a maximum of 100 millilitres and fit into one plastic bag, with one bag per passenger. Any bottles containing more than 100ml found in carry-on bags will have to come out and not travel.
Passengers will still have to remove jackets, and belts and shoes will still have to be removed if they meet a certain criterion.
Improved airport experience
As part of the upgrade, the security queuing area will be relocated to be closer to the Arrivals Hall to accommodate the installation of the new screening equipment. The Airports Authority said that the new layout will “improve passenger flow, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall airport experience”.
Construction is currently underway and is scheduled for completion in November 2025.
There are no current plans for similar upgrades at Charles Kirkconnell airport on Cayman Brac, but the idea is being considered, said the spokeswoman.