Good news! Airports in Europe set to drop the most annoying rule

Goodbye, 100ml Rule! European Airports Poised to Revolutionise Hand Luggage Security

One of the most frustrating and hotly debated airport regulations of the past two decades—the 100 ml liquid limit in carry-on luggage—is finally set to become a thing of the past at most European airports. This welcome shift comes thanks to the progressive rollout of new-generation security scanners capable of safely examining larger liquid containers.

The infamous 100ml liquid restriction was first introduced back in 2006, following revelations of a foiled liquid explosive plot that posed a serious threat to air travel. Traditional X-ray machines at the time lacked the capability to reliably detect these dangerous substances, prompting the European Union to impose strict limits on the quantity of liquids allowed on board for essential safety reasons.

The game-changer comes in the form of new, advanced CT-based 3D scanners. These state-of-the-art machines can safely and thoroughly analyse the liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) inside carry-on bags, as reported by Euronews. This breakthrough technology eliminates the need to enforce the rule requiring all liquids to be in containers no larger than 100ml and packed into a single, resealable, transparent one-litre bag. Passengers will soon be able to carry liquids in containers of up to two litres in their hand luggage. Furthermore, a significant added benefit is that travellers will no longer have to remove items like laptops and tablets from their cabin baggage, further streamlining the security process.

Italy has led the way in implementing these new scanners, which are already in operation at major airports in Rome and Milan. These devices are capable of safely inspecting larger liquid containers. The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) has given its approval to the advanced systems, paving the way for wider adoption. While the European Commission has confirmed that deployment can begin “in the coming days,” the rollout will be phased. Countries such as Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Sweden, and the Netherlands are among those expected to follow suit, pending final approvals and installations.

What does this mean for passengers? If all goes according to plan and the regulation takes full effect in 2025 across the EU, travellers will no longer need to painstakingly transfer their liquids into tiny 100 ml bottles. This significant change is expected to reduce unnecessary waste, ease security restrictions, and most importantly, significantly speed up security checks. Overall, the travel experience is set to become smoother, more convenient, and far less stressful.

According to European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, full documentation detailing the new scanners has already been submitted to the ECAC. As soon as final approval is granted, airports across the EU will begin deploying the new technology in close coordination with airport operators.

This development marks a major shift for European citizens and air travellers alike, promising a future where the hassle of liquid restrictions becomes a distant, unwelcome memory. It underscores a commitment to balancing robust security with an enhanced, more comfortable travel experience.