No one likes the plastic bags for liquids in carry-on luggage. New airport screening scanners are making the limit obsolete. In Germany, too, more and more airports want to abolish the annoying rule. Which makes the way to the airport less stressful and more time to enjoy sweet bonanza canada.
Since 2006, it has been a constant companion on air travel: a small, transparent and resealable plastic bag. Liquids have to be packed into the bag before going through airport security.
For more than 16 years, only liquids in containers no larger than 100 milliliters have been allowed in carry-on luggage – and these are packed in the same transparent bag with a maximum capacity of one liter. But this could soon be a thing of the past – thanks to a new technology! And it’s already in use:
WHERE AND WHY IT WILL BE DROPPED
Munich and Nuremberg: 100-militer limit to be dropped
At Munich Airport, the devices were tested for three years in one of the terminals. Now it has been decided that Munich Airport will switch completely to CT from 2023. According to the airport, this will also eliminate the liquid limit of 100 milliliters. Shortly before the Whitsun vacations, the airport has now put five more CT scanners into operation in the security checkpoints. Previously, only two of the devices were in use.
The technology is to be used at all Bavarian airports in the future. This means that the airports in Nuremberg and Memmingen are also to be equipped with them. By the beginning of the summer vacations in 2026, the technology will be installed at all checkpoints in Munich and Nuremberg – that is the plan. At least one of the devices has been in use in Nuremberg since February 2023.
Frankfurt gets control and introduces CT scanners
A development at Frankfurt Airport could provide for acceleration: because there, in January 2023, the control responsibility for security checks was transferred from the federal government to the airport operator. By 2023, seven of the new types of scanners are expected to be installed there.
London City Airport plans to lift 100-milliliter limit
London City Airport has put an end to the 100-milliliter rule in time for the 2023 Easter vacations. This makes the international airport in the Royal Docks in the London Borough of Newham the first in the United Kingdom, write British media such as The Independent.
Under the new rules, liquids of up to two liters could be carried in hand luggage. The reason for the change is new 3-D security scanners. They are also intended to help travelers pass through screening more quickly.
London-Heathrow to lift liquid restrictions in mid-2024
At Heathrow, a trial run with new CT equipment began back in 2017. The original plan was to completely convert the London airport to modern scanners as early as 2022. However, due to the pandemic, the deadline was postponed.
The British government plans to equip all airports with the new 3-D scanners by mid-2024 and then drop the rules on the amount of liquids.
Ireland no longer has a 100-milliliter limit on carry-on luggage
Shannon Airport on the west coast of Ireland was the first airport in the EU to abolish the liquids limit. In October 2021, the airport introduced a new security screening system at a cost of €2.5 million.
This high-tech security system makes it possible to scan liquids that are in suitcases or backpacks. This means that travelers no longer have to send liquids through the security checkpoint separately, but can leave them stowed in their own luggage. Laptops and other technical devices can also remain in their suitcases.
SECURITY CHECK HALF AS LONG
This means that all liquids, gels, creams and medicines of any size can also be stowed in carry-on luggage. Travelers can take sunscreen, water bottles and the like back into their hand luggage.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam has had the new CT program in place for two years, but is largely still waiving the 100-milliliter rule.
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW
Will water bottles soon be allowed in carry-on luggage everywhere again?
But how is it possible that the first airports are abolishing the rule when it is laid down in an EU regulation? According to the EU regulation, it must be ensured that no explosives or other explosive liquids are involved.
The background to the regulation was a foiled attack in Great Britain in 2006, when assassins wanted to bring liquid explosives on board and mix them together there and detonate them.
This is what the new computer tomograph can do: it enables security personnel to assess the liquids more precisely and determine whether or not they pose a danger. So if the scanner is sure to find all dangerous liquids, all other liquids can go in the luggage in virtually unlimited quantities. This is also the case under European aviation security regulations.
