For several years, travellers around Europe have been looking forward to being rid of pesky hand luggage restrictions on liquids and electronic devices at airports.

In recent months, some airports across the bloc have spent millions on new high-tech EDSCB (Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage) scanners and started phasing them in order to be able to scrap the limits once and for all.

However, following concerns over the scanners’ reliability, the European Commission has recently announced that the 100ml limit on liquids, aerosols, and gels (known as LAGs) will actually be temporarily reintroduced at airports that use the new technology.

A statement released in late July states: “The European Commission will temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU airports utilising Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage. 

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

What does this mean for travellers?

Briefly, if you’re travelling through an airport that has already installed the new EDSCB scanners, you’ll need to follow the old rules on carrying liquids in hand luggage.

If you travel through airports that are yet to install them, nothing changes.

Which Italian airports are going to be affected? 

Only three Italian airports have installed the new scanners so far: Milan Linate, terminal 1 at Milan Malpensa and terminal 1 at Rome Fiumicino.

The recent EC decision means that liquids at those airports will be limited to 100ml as before.

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If you’re going through security at other Italian airports, nothing will change for now: you’ll be limited to 100ml liquids in your carry-on luggage just as you would’ve been before.

What about electronic devices?

Besides allowing airports to eliminate limits on liquids, the other benefit of the new EDSCB scanners is that you no longer need to remove your electronic devices from your hand luggage.

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

When does the change come into effect?

From September 1st 2024. 

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

Airports that already limit liquids to 100ml or that have not deployed EDSCB equipment will not be affected by this change.

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Though the EC describes the reintroduction of these limits as “temporary”, it is currently unclear how long they will be in place for. 

Why are they doing this?

The EC claims this is a “precautionary measure” addressing a “temporary technical issue”.

This is “not in response to any new threat,” it specifies.

Why are there limits on liquids in airports to begin with?

The EU Aviation Security Regulations limit liquids, aerosols, and gels to 100ml because traditional security equipment cannot effectively detect liquid explosives.

However, there are often exceptions made for medicines and baby products.

With reporting by Conor Faulkner.