European airports reimpose 100ml limit on liquid items in hand baggage

The 100ml limit on liquid items when travelling in European airports will come into effect once again. From Sunday, 1st September, 2024, all liquids in cabin bags must be in bottles of 100ml or less; the same limit applies to aerosols and gels.

It’s an abrupt about-face from a previous government mandate for European airports to install advanced scanners – known as Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB) – which would allow up to two litres of liquids in carry-ons.

Those ‘3D’ scanners also meant passengers no longer had to take liquids out from their hand luggage.

But their effectiveness was called into question after a technical report from the European Civil Aviation Conference noted the software used in these scanners could not guarantee their reliability for containers holding more than 330ml.

As a result, the European Commission says that the 100ml rule will be "temporarily” reimposed from this weekend across all EU airports, including those equipped with the new scanners.

In short, the 100ml limit is coming back into force – and at most airports, must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre. Liquids and gels over 100ml will need to be put into checked luggage.

"This precautionary measure is not in response to any new threat but addresses a temporary technical issue, undertaken in alignment with the EU’s international partners,” the European Commission said in a statement.

"The commission is collaborating closely with member states and the European Civil Aviation Conference to develop swift technical solutions, ensuring the highest standards of safety and security in air travel.”

WAM