Dear Reader

COULD we finally wave goodbye to airport security bins overflowing with confiscated sun cream, water bottles and expensive beauty products?

It was announced last week that the Government is looking to scrap the outdated restrictions on hand luggage liquids by 2024. They are to be replaced by high-tech 3D scanners that enable staff to zoom in on a bag’s contents and rotate the images for inspection.

The current restrictions have been a staple of air travel for 16 years after being introduced as a temporary measure following a failed al-Qaeda plot to smuggle explosives disguised as drinks on to jets at Heathrow.

I don’t know how many times I’ve been forced to bin something just before going through the scanners for the inevitable security pat-down.

I’ve often tried to stuff a week’s worth of make-up, toothpaste, contact lens solution and shampoo into my own large plastic pouch that measures far more than the provided 20cm x 20cm bags. And I’m always caught out, leaving me heading to Boots minutes later to buy replacements.

I returned from Sydney (pictured) in Australia on Monday, where flying is an entirely more enjoyable experience.

At domestic airports there are no hand luggage liquid limits, queues are a rarity and passengers are advised to arrive just an hour before departure.

It’s hardly surprising given that those failing to remove items from bags or travelling with oversized liquids are the main cause of delays at security.

The change has to be good news. But I fear the technological advancements could cause different frustrations.

There’s nothing more infuriating than joining a snaking queue at the border control eGates, only for them not to work and you’re forced to queue up again to see an immigration officer. New tech is fine — as long as it works.