The European Commission (EC) recently said it will temporarily reintroduce limits to liquids carried in hand luggage at some airports around Europe.

For the last several years, travellers around Europe have been looking forward to being rid of pesky hand luggage restrictions on liquids and electronic devices across all airports. In Germany, some airports have already spent millions on new high-tech scanners and were even beginning to phase them in and scrap the rules. 

However, following the EC decision, in certain airports the 100ml limit will now actually be reintroduced on liquids, aerosols, and gels (known as LAGs).

This comes after concerns emerged about the reliability of CT scanners as part of the new EDSCB systems installed in airports around the continent.

In a press release, the EC states: “The European Commission will temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU airports utilising Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB). 

“These systems, installed in certain EU airports, currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100ml.”

What does this mean for travellers?

Basically, if you’re travelling through an airport that has already installed new CT scanners, you’ll soon need to abide by the old 100ml limit on carrying liquids in hand luggage.

If you travel through airports that are yet to install them or change the rules, nothing changes.

Frankfurt, Germany’s biggest airport, has dozens of these new scanners. 

A notice on Frankfurt airport’s site says: “Starting September 1st, 2024 an EU-wide restriction on taking liquids in carry-on luggage will be applied again for all passenger security checkpoints (including CT scanners).”

The airport goes on to say that “only liquids in containers no larger than 100 milliliters may be taken, and these must be placed inside a re-closable bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter”.

Some other German airports have also been installing these scanners, including Munich and Berlin. 

What about unpacking electronic devices and liquid bags?

The other time-saving benefit of these new scanners is that you no longer need to take out your electronic devices or liquid bag from your hand luggage.

According to the latest EC information available, the rule change will not affect this.

Frankfurt airport adds that the checkpoints with CT technology “will continue to benefit passengers because electronic devices and allowed amounts of  liquids, aerosols, and gels do not have to be removed from the carry-on luggage”.

When does this change come into effect?

From September 1st 2024. The EC statement says from this date “the maximum allowed size for individual liquid containers will revert to the standard 100ml for airports operating this type of equipment”.

Why are they doing this?

The EC claims this is a “precautionary measure” due to a technical issue and not due to a heightened security risk.

This is according to a decision taken by the Airports Council International (ACI) when it was revising EU Aviation Security Regulations, which has introduced severe restrictions on the use of these new sorts of scanners.

Due to their state-of-the-art technology they previously allowed travellers around Europe to carry liquids in their hand luggage without the 100ml restriction, but the technical measure means this has been scrapped for now.

Why are there limits on liquids in airports?

EU Aviation Security Regulations limits liquids, aerosols, and gels to 100ml. This is because traditional security equipment cannot detect liquid explosives effectively. The rule was brought in back in 2006. 

However, there are exceptions made for medicines and baby products. If you have a prescribed medicine over 100ml, you’re advised to bring the doctor’s prescription with you incase a security agent asks to see it.

Though the EC describes the reintroduction of this liquid limit rule as “temporary”, it is unclear how long it will be in place for.