Regulations & Safety
EU Eases Airport Liquid Restrictions at Select Airports with CT Scanners
The EU lifts the 100ml liquid limit at airports with approved CT scanners, creating a fragmented but modernized security approach across Europe.
The European Union has taken a significant step toward modernizing airport security by updating its long-standing rules on carrying liquids through checkpoints. These changes mark a potential shift in how passengers experience air travel across Europe, especially concerning the 100ml liquid restriction that has been in place since 2006. However, the implementation of these new rules has sparked confusion and inconsistency across the bloc.
As of mid-2025, only airports equipped with specific, European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)-approved computed tomography (CT) scanners are permitted to lift the 100ml limit. This selective application has led to a fragmented landscape where some travelers enjoy relaxed rules while others still face old restrictions. The disparity has raised operational concerns among airport authorities and left many passengers uncertain about what to expect during their journeys.
This article explores the background behind the liquid restrictions, the recent developments in EU policy, the technological and economic implications of CT scanner adoption, and the broader global context of aviation security modernization.
The 100ml liquid restriction was introduced in 2006 following a foiled terrorist plot aimed at detonating liquid explosives on transatlantic flights. The incident, known as the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, involved plans to smuggle explosive components disguised as soft drinks aboard planes departing from the United Kingdom. In response, security agencies worldwide implemented strict limits on liquid volumes in carry-on luggage to mitigate similar threats.
Traditional X-ray scanners used at airport checkpoints lacked the capability to accurately detect liquid explosives, necessitating a blanket restriction on container sizes. Over time, this rule became a standard part of global aviation security protocols, despite its inconvenience for travelers.
Technological advancements eventually led to the development of CT scanners capable of producing detailed 3D images of luggage contents. These scanners can identify a wider range of threats, including liquid explosives, potentially rendering the 100ml rule obsolete. However, the path to widespread adoption has been anything but straightforward.
In 2024, the EU temporarily reinstated the 100ml limit at airports using CT scanners due to concerns over scanner reliability. Reports indicated that the software used in some scanners was producing a high rate of false positives, prompting the European Commission to pause the easing of restrictions until recalibration and further testing could be conducted.
This decision mirrored similar delays in the United Kingdom, where the government extended its CT scanner deployment deadline to summer 2025. The technical setbacks highlighted the complexity of integrating new security technology into high-traffic environments and underscored the importance of rigorous validation. Despite these challenges, the EU resumed its phased easing of the liquid rule in 2025, allowing airports with ECAC-approved scanners to lift the restriction. However, the limited scope of this approval has led to a patchwork of Regulations across member states.
One of the primary barriers to widespread CT scanner adoption is cost. According to estimates, CT scanners are approximately eight times more expensive than traditional X-ray machines, with maintenance costs four times higher. For instance, London Heathrow Airport would require an estimated £1.04 billion to fully implement the new technology across its terminals.
Currently, only scanners produced by Smiths Detection, a UK-based manufacturer, have received ECAC approval for lifting the 100ml restriction. This exclusivity has effectively sidelined other manufacturers, such as Nuctech and Rapiscan, from participating in the EU’s modernization efforts. The reliance on a single supplier raises concerns about reduced competition and potential supply chain bottlenecks.
As a result, only a select number of airports, such as those in Rome, Milan, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Stockholm, have been able to implement the new rules. Other airports remain bound by the 100ml limit, creating inconsistencies for travelers and operational headaches for airport staff.
“Security is non-negotiable, but the EU certification system must provide legal certainty.”, Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI Europe
The selective application of the new rules has led to widespread confusion among passengers. Travelers departing from an airport with approved CT scanners may be allowed to carry liquids in containers up to 2 liters, only to have those items confiscated upon return to an airport still enforcing the 100ml limit.
Airports operating with CT scanners but still subject to the 100ml rule have reported decreased throughput and increased staffing needs. The mismatch between scanner capabilities and regulatory requirements undermines the efficiency gains that the technology was meant to deliver.
In response, the European Commission has emphasized the importance of clear communication. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen noted that while the easing of restrictions is contingent on scanner approval, airports must implement practical measures to inform travelers about the applicable rules.
The market for CT scanners is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by a global push to modernize airport security infrastructure. Analysts project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% for the European CT scanner market from 2024 to 2030. This growth is fueled by the post-pandemic recovery of air travel and increasing investments in Automation and artificial intelligence for threat detection. However, the high cost of equipment and the limited number of approved manufacturers may slow adoption, particularly among smaller regional airports.
To address these challenges, some industry experts have called for broader ECAC certification of additional scanner models and financial support mechanisms to help airports upgrade their systems.
While the EU grapples with fragmented implementation, other regions are taking different approaches. The United Kingdom, for example, has set a nationwide deadline of summer 2025 for full CT scanner deployment, albeit with delays due to technical issues similar to those faced by the EU.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is conducting pilot programs to evaluate the feasibility of easing liquid restrictions. Although no nationwide changes have been announced, the U.S. appears to be moving cautiously in the direction of modernization.
These contrasting approaches illustrate the broader global trend toward updating aviation security protocols, but they also highlight the importance of coordination and standardization to avoid confusion and inefficiencies.
Industry stakeholders have urged the European Commission to develop a comprehensive roadmap for lifting the 100ml restriction across all member states. Such a plan would involve accelerating the Certification process for additional scanner models and providing financial incentives for airports to make the transition.
Standardizing rules across the EU could help minimize passenger confusion and ensure a more seamless travel experience. It would also level the playing field for airports, many of which are currently penalized for being early adopters of the technology.
Without such measures, the EU risks perpetuating a fragmented system that undermines both security and efficiency. The EU’s decision to ease liquid restrictions at airports equipped with approved CT scanners represents a significant step forward in aviation security. However, the uneven implementation of these rules has created a fragmented environment that poses challenges for both travelers and airport operators.
To fully realize the benefits of modern security technology, the EU must address the current disparities by expanding scanner certification, supporting infrastructure investments, and improving communication with passengers. Doing so will help create a more consistent and efficient travel experience while maintaining the high security Standards that air travel demands.
What is the 100ml liquid rule? Why is the rule being eased now? Does the new rule apply to all EU airports? What should travelers do to avoid confusion?
Introduction: Easing Airport Security Rules in the EU
Background: The Origin of the 100ml Rule
Temporary Reinstatement and Technical Challenges
Implementation and Impact: Fragmented Adoption Across Europe
Scanner Costs and Limited Manufacturer Approval
Passenger Confusion and Operational Strain
Market Trends and Future Growth
Global Context and Comparative Approaches
United Kingdom and United States Perspectives
Standardization and Policy Recommendations
Conclusion: Toward a Unified Security Framework
FAQ
It is a security regulation introduced in 2006 that limits passengers to carrying liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in their hand luggage.
Advances in CT scanner technology allow for more accurate detection of liquid explosives, enabling some airports to safely lift the restriction.
No. Only airports with ECAC-approved CT scanners, currently limited to those using Smiths Detection equipment, can lift the 100ml rule.
Check the specific rules of your departure and return airports before traveling, as regulations may vary depending on scanner availability.
Sources
Photo Credit: Sky News