New EU Liquid Rules for Air Travel

Air travelers can now carry up to two liters of liquid in their hand luggage. However, the new EU regulations only apply to airports with specific scanners. For now, travelers at Arlanda, Landvetter, and Kastrup must continue packing in small containers.

For many travelers, this is likely a welcome change, eliminating the need to pack liquids in small 100-milliliter containers totaling no more than one liter. The updated rules allow larger containers—up to two liters—in hand luggage.

However, the rules will be implemented gradually across Europe.

"This does not mean that all passengers everywhere in the EU can now carry larger liquid containers," said EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen to journalists in Brussels on Tuesday.

New Security Checks

Several airports have installed new X-ray equipment in recent years, allowing larger amounts of liquid to be carried. For example, Arlanda has new X-ray equipment at Terminal 5. However, EU approval currently only applies to a specific type of scanner from a British supplier, which is not available at Arlanda.

As of today, Arlanda is not affected by the changed rules, nor is Landvetter.

At Kastrup in Copenhagen, the installation of new approved equipment is underway, but it is not expected to be completed until the end of May next year.

The rule change thus sets the stage for confusion for those flying, and the rules may also differ on outbound and return journeys.

Confusing

"It is up to each airport to inform about the new rules and the possibility for passengers to bring larger containers on board. Hopefully, they will clarify for everyone traveling from the airport whether they are using the new technology," writes Anna-Kaisa Itkonen to TT.

The news site Politico Europe provides an example of the confusion: Those flying from Linate Airport in Milan can carry two liters of liquid in their hand luggage, as can travelers from Terminal 1 at the city's other airport, Malpensa. But travelers from Terminal 2 at Malpensa must stick to 100-milliliter containers.

The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) continues to test equipment from suppliers other than the currently approved British Smiths Detection. Once ECAC completes its certification, the EU Commission will also give formal approval.