EC reinstates liquid rules for airports using C3 scanners

Passenger Terminal Today
Kylie Bielby
02 August 2024

Technical issues identified by the European Commission (EC) will affect passengers traveling with liquids in the European Union as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway from September 1.

The EC said it will “temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU airports using Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB)”. These systems, also known as C3 scanners, are installed in several EU airports and were previously approved for use in the European Union. They currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100ml. However, effective from September 1, 2024, the maximum allowed size for individual liquid containers will revert to the standard 100ml for airports operating this type of equipment. It is not currently known how long the ruling will be in effect. Airports that already limit liquids to 100ml or that have not deployed the equipment will not be affected by this change.

Liquids rules reinstated in UK

Signs of potential difficulties began to emerge earlier this year. In June, the Department for Transport in the UK, which is not subject to the new EC ruling, reinstated the 100ml limit, saying that further improvements were needed to the equipment. Several airports had already installed the technology in line with a June 2024 deadline, with others, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester, being given an extension until summer 2025.

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