Security

Preparing for Security

We recommend passengers are ready for security checks prior to arrival at the security area. Here are a few things to consider...

• Have your boarding pass ready for inspection. You do not need to show your passport at this stage.
• All bags will be screened by X-ray scanners.
• If you are carrying any liquid items in a clear, resealable plastic bag, take them out of your hand baggage ready for inspection.
• Electrical items, including laptops, mobile phones and tablets, will need to go through X-ray machines separately. We recommend taking them out of your hand baggage ready for inspection.
• Take off your coat and belt when you reach the front of the queue so you’re ready for the X-ray machines.
• Place your hand baggage and coat or jacket into a tray.
• Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
• Wheelchairs and other mobility aids, will be thoroughly searched.
• You may be asked to remove your shoes and any other items of clothing or jewellery before going through the security archway.

In November 2014, Newcastle International Airport began operating a security scanner in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines.

For frequently asked questions about the scanner and screening process, please click here.

Passengers may be able to take more than one item of hand baggage through security control depending on their airline, fare paid and class of travel. Please check with your airline or tour operator before arriving at the airport.

Hand baggage size and weight will be set by the airline. Before arriving at the airport, passengers are recommended to check what is allowed by their airline for their ticket.

For more on baggage, including checked-in baggage, visit our baggage advice page.

Passengers are recommended to carefully pack their bags at home and carry only essential items in their hand luggage to help reduce the need for lengthy manual checks at security.

Passengers are reminded that when flying from Newcastle International Airport:

• Liquids, gels and pastes should be packed into hold baggage where possible.
• Liquids placed in a passengers hand luggage must be 100ml or less and fit in a transparent one-litre re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches).
• Empty flasks or bottles can be taken through. Our catering outlets are more than happy to re-fill your bottles.
• Food or powders should be packed into a hold bag where possible. Although these items are permitted in hand luggage, they can obstruct images on the X-Ray machine, or may be mistaken for suspicious items. Passengers who need to take these items on board should allow extra time at security.
• Sharp items and tools cannot be carried in hand luggage.
• Large electrical items, including laptops or tablets, can be taken into the cabin. These must be removed from hand luggage at the search area and placed in the tray.
• A single cigarette lighter may be carried per person.

Passengers are asked to remove ALL electrical items (including mobile phones) from their hand luggage, along with any cables and wires that accompany them. This allows our security team to scan luggage quickly and reduces the possibility that luggage may need to be re-scanned.

DfT regulations July 2014

Passengers should be aware of the following information from the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding extra security measures at airports:

Passengers on some routes into and out of the UK may be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up. If your device does not switch on, you may not be allowed to bring it on to the aircraft. Passengers are therefore advised to make sure electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel.

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

Passengers are advised that only a limited quantities of liquids may be carried through security control in their hand baggage, including and not limited to bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.

We recommend passengers familiarising themselves with the following restrictions applied to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:

• All liquids, aerosol and gel products must be 100ml or less and fit in a transparent one-litre re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches).*
• Each bag must be sealed and placed in the tray as directed by security screening staff.
• Liquid items larger than 100ml will not be allowed through the security checkpoint. We ask that passengers pack anything larger than 100ml in their hold baggage.
• *Liquids used for medical purposes or special dietary requirements, including baby food, are allowed. Passengers may be asked for proof of authenticity.
• Restrictions remain for all other liquid, aerosol and gel products.
• All Duty Free liquid, aerosol and gel products must be presented with proof of purchase and in the sealed ICAO bag provided at time of purchase.

Please note: Clear plastic bags for liquids can be purchased at the airport at a cost of £1 per bag. Plastic bag dispensing machines are located prior to security. To save time and expense, please come prepared with your own appropriate plastic bag.

Passengers are kindly asked to only carry what they need for their trip. Wet wipes and powdered baby food are allowed, however the following items will be subject to an additional liquid screening process:

• Baby milk
• Sterilised water intended to make up powdered feed
• Baby food in liquid, gel or paste form

Passengers can also pre-order baby milk and baby food in advance for collection from Boots (located after security). Passengers who would like to reserve and collect will be to place their order at least a week before they fly, then pick up their items from Boots once through security. To reserve, please call 0191 271 6166 or click here.

Please note: baby juice (unless it is a specific dietary requirement juice) is not permitted to be carried through the security search area.

Essential medicines for the period of the trip may be permitted in larger quantities above the 100ml limit. These items will be subject to a separate screening process, authentication, and passengers must have obtained prior agreement from their airline.

If passengers need to carry medicine of this nature, they must also carry supporting documentation, either a prescription and/or letter from a relevant qualified medical professional.

Medicine of a non essential nature, including non-prescription or “over the counter” liquid-based medication, must be carried in containers that do not exceed 100ml and must be presented within a transparent one-litre re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), along with other liquid-based products.

Please note: Boots at Newcastle Airport is NOT a dispensing pharmacy. Make sure you have any essential prescription medicines with you before travelling to the airport, as you will not be able to purchase them once you arrive.

Passengers are reminded that the following items may not be carried in hand baggage (please note that the examples below are not given as an exhaustive list, and many other items fall under these categories):

• Sharp items
  Knives (with blades over 6cm), razor blades, corkscrew, box cutters, large scissors (with blades longer than 6cm), darts
• Projectile-firing weapons
  Firearms, toy guns, replica/imitation guns, BB guns, bows or crossbows, arrows, harpoons, catapults
• Stunning devices and incapacitating devices
  Stun guns, Tasers, incapacitating chemicals, gases or sprays (eg Mace), pepper sprays
• Tools
  Chisels, Stanley knives, crowbars, drills, drill bits, saws, blowtorches, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, wrench/spanner, nail guns
• Blunt instruments
  Baseball/softball bats, cricket bats, snooker/billiart cues, golf clubs, hiking poles, fishing rods, clubs, batons, martial arts equipment
• Explosive or incendiary substances
  Ammunition, blasting caps, replica/imitation explosive devices, grenades, fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps), non-safety matches
• Dangerous goods
  Flammable or harmful substances such as gases, oxidisers, poisons, corrosives and hazardous biological or chemical material

A single cigarette lighter may be carried per person.

Security personnel may additionally prevent any item considered to pose a security or safety risk from passing through to the departure lounge.

If you are in any doubt about a particular item of hand baggage, we recommend that you contact your airline for advice.