In a blow for travellers throughout Europe, the EU Commission has announced that it is enforcing temporary restrictions which will see air passengers no longer allowed to carry any liquids measuring more than 100ml in their hand luggage.
While that rule has not been in place universally, it’s a significant change for airports which had changed the process. It means several airports will effectively be reverting to previous restrictions.
Effective from 1 September, the Commission says it’s a “precautionary measure” and will apply to all EU airports – including those which have installed new-generation C3 scanning equipment for hand luggage.
That equipment, which is also known as the Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB), is able to scan hand luggage more efficiently in 3D and allows passengers to bring larger quantities of liquids through security, which can remain in luggage for screening.
Despite being praised for cutting down queue times and delays at airports where it is currently in effect, the EU has decided to suspend the practice “on the basis of information indicating that the performance thereof did not meet the standard for which it had been approved”.
The move comes following similar action by the UK’s Department for Transport in June, which affected airports including busy hubs London City, Aberdeen and Newcastle.
The DfT said it was a temporary measure “to enable further improvements to be made to the new checkpoint systems” – but, as yet, no timeline is in place as to when the ruling might be lifted.
In December 2022, it seemed as if the 100ml liquid rule at airports, introduced after a terror threat involving a liquid bomb at Heathrow in 2006, would soon be scrapped in Europe. New 3D scanners, using enhanced X-ray technology able to identify explosives, began to be trialled across EU states and in the UK, where airports were set a deadline of June 2024 to install the upgraded tech, after which time regulatory approval would allow passengers to carry up to 2l of liquids in hand luggage.
Which airports currently allow passengers to take more than 100ml liquids through security?
Across Ireland, EDSCB scanners have been installed at Shannon, Kerry, Donegal and Ireland West (Knock) Airports, with trials taking place at Dublin and Cork. Until 1 September, passengers travelling through these airports can carry liquids without size restrictions in hand luggage, which do not need to be removed for scanning.
Amsterdam Schiphol airport has had the advanced liquid scanners since 2021 and Rome’s Fiumicino hub has also rolled out the machines.
Terminal 3 at Paris-Orly airport has been trialling the system since October 2023 with Geneva airport also running trials, but yet to announce any permanent implementations.
In Spain, two airports – Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El-Prat – were set to put the changes in place this year, with the new 3D X-ray scanners slated to be installed at Palma de Mallorca airport by the end of 2024 and at Malaga Costa del Sol by early 2025. Various other airports across Spain were planning to follow suit from 2026.
Munich airport has been in the process of converting its scanners since the beginning of 2024, with plans in place to finish the transition by 2025.Also in Germany, Frankfurt already has a number of fast lanes which use the scanners in some terminals with more slated to have been added by the end of the year.
While the initial EU plan was to phase out the 100ml rule over time, the new announcement will likely cause dismay for travellers and airport staff.
In the UK, London City Airport has been using the “C3” scanners since April 2023. Earlier this year, it said queue times at security had been halved by the new scanners. Next-generation scanners are also in place at London Southend, Teesside, Newcastle, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stornoway, Bristol and Leeds Bradford airports. Gatwick and Heathrow were granted an extension to install the upgraded scanners by 2025. However, since June 2024, passengers flying from all UK airports must adhere to the 100ml liquid limit, regardless of the scanners in place.
What do the revised rules mean for travellers?
From 1 September and for an indefinite period of time, passengers travelling through all EU airports will not be allowed to carry any liquids, gels or aerosols in their hand baggage in containers exceeding 100ml. The only exception to that will be for baby food and prescribed medicines.
The European Commission says the restrictions haven’t been introduced due to a higher security risk to aviation, but instead, are a preventive measure until scanner software is improved.
There are also question marks over a lack of agreement reached on international measurement standards and aviation safety rules.
The European branch of the Airports Council International (ACI), says it is doing all it can to ensure that an accord is reached as quickly as possible.
Maurice Saatchi: I used to adore capitalism – then I had lunch with Margaret Thatcher