Security at East Midlands Airport

Advice on going through security

At East Midlands Airport, we make the safety and security of customers and staff our absolute priority

To make your journey as smooth as possible and avoid unnecessary delays, we ask that you pay special attention to our security procedure.

Security rules for hold luggage

For security rules and packing advice for hold luggage (luggage that is checked in), please see our dedicated Luggage page.

Security checks

For the benefit of all passengers’ security, departing passengers may be required to be screened using security (body) scanning equipment at East Midlands Airport.

Our advanced technology scanners are part of a range of security measures, some of which may not be obvious. These include a deliberate element of unpredictability in their deployment. This means you may experience a different process than you did on your last visit to East Midlands Airport.

Scanners are the safe*, quick, and simple to use solution for speeding passengers through security whilst achieving higher levels of security detection than has previously been possible.

Assessment of scan data is conducted using the latest computer algorithms and no personal data is saved.

You may opt out of being screened by security scanner. In this instance, you must either be screened by an alternative method which includes at least an enhanced hand search in private or you will not be permitted to enter the security restricted area, or, if applicable, you will be removed from it. An enhanced hand search in private will take place in a private room or an area away from the main search comb. This may involve the loosening and/or removal of clothing.

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions

*They do not use x-rays.

Hand luggage

It is an offence to carry any of the following items into the aircraft cabin:

• Acid
• Billiard, snooker or pool cues
• Builder's tools
• Catapults and sling-shots
• Darts
• Explosives
• Gas cartridges, or gas cartridge re-fills
• Hammers, nails or screw-drivers
• Hypodermic syringes (unless supported by medical evidence)
• Knives with blades more than 6cm
• Lighter fuel
• Lighter top-up fuel (passengers are allowed to carry one disposable lighter in a clear re-sealable plastic bag)
• Mercury
• Paint*
• Razor blades**
• Scissors - specifically, blades measuring greater than 6cm in length
• Sporting bats
• Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
• Umbrellas - unless foldable

*Artists' acrylic, oil or watercolour paint is permitted as long as the individual container contains no more than 100ml. Normal liquid bag rules then apply, as detailed below.

**Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razor) are permitted in hand luggage.

Hand luggage sizes

We would remind all passengers that each airline has their own policy regarding the amount of hand baggage allowed on their aircraft and we strongly recommend that information regarding this is sought directly from the Airline before travel. The current restrictions on the size of hand baggage taken into the restricted area of the airport remain in place with no bag larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm being permitted.

What you can take through security in hand luggage

If under 100ml and in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag, passengers are permitted to take liquids, gels and pastes through security separately from their hand baggage.

It is best to prepare your liquid bag - no larger than 20cm x 20cm and not exceeding one litre - before arrival at East Midlands Airport. They are however available if you forget to bring your own, though there is a limit of one liquid bag per passenger. The bag must be one litre, which is around half the size of a standard A4 piece of paper, and it must be sealable.

What is a liquid?

  • Water and other drinks, soups, syrups

  • Pastes, including toothpaste

  • Creams, lotions and oils, including moisturiser

  • Perfumes

  • Make-up, including mascara

  • Sprays, including sun-tan lotion

  • Gels, including hair and shower gels

  • Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants

  • Liquid-solid mixtures

  • Any other item of a similar consistency

Lipsticks, lip balms and stick deodorants are not classed as liquids.

Always check in any liquid over 100ml and if you're unsure whether an item will be allowed through, please always check it in with your hold luggage.

Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally cannot go through security even if the container is only part full. There are some exemptions.

Please note - if you wish to bring your own containers to hold 100ml or less, the container must have printed on it the measurement that the container can hold. Travel sets of containers that do not have measurements on them will not be allowed through security. Handwritten measurements or stickers are also not acceptable.

Laptops and other electrical equipment (iPads, hairdryers, straighteners, large speakers, large cameras, docking stations, irons) have to be removed from hand luggage and screened separately.

If you’re flying to the USA, please ensure that electrical devices are charged and capable of being switched on. Any passengers with specific queries about their individual flight should check with their airline for more detailed information.

Baby foods

When travelling with a baby, you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. In some cases this will be over 100ml.

You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby. You can’t carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point.

ITEM

ALLOWED IN HAND LUGGAGE

ALLOWED IN HOLD LUGGAGE

Breast milk

Yes, in containers up to 2,000ml

Yes

Frozen breast milk

No

Yes

Formula milk, cow’s milk

Yes (baby must be present)

Yes

Sterilised water for the baby

Yes (baby must be present)

Yes

Soya milk for babies

Yes (baby must be present)

Yes

Baby food

Yes (baby must be present)

Yes

Cooling gel packs

Yes

Yes

A baby is considered to be 0-36 months old.

Medicines

A passenger may take prescription medication in containers over 100ml through security, provided that they have a prescription or doctor's note for the medication. The passenger may only carry through security the quantity of liquid medication that is required for their journey.

Passengers will be able to buy liquids including drinks and perfumes in duty free and other stores after security control, or on-board the aircraft. If they are sold in a special sealed bag, passengers must not open them before they are screened otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the security checkpoint.

Food items and powders in your hand luggage can obstruct images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again manually by security. You can put these items in your hold luggage to minimise delays.