Travellers flying to and from Europe this autumn may face lengthy delays as security liquid limits are reinstated at aviation hubs. Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), as well as pastes, lotions and cosmetics, must be 100ml at all EU airports from 1 September 2024. The European Commission announced it will “temporarily” reintroduce the restriction on liquids carried in hand luggage on 31 July.
No container for any LAG can be above 100ml, and at most airports must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre. Europe’s branch of Airports Council International (ACI) predicts that the move will result in “significant operational strain” and “the deployment of additional staff”. Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB) operate at several European airports and currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100ml.
Although the advanced CT scanners were installed to enhance airport security and liquids and laptops can stay in a traveller’s bag, the reintroduced restriction could hold up an average of 500,000 people passing through airport security every hour. The liquids rules were initially introduced in 2006 as “a temporary measure” to protect against explosives after a “ liquid bomb plot ” on a transatlantic flight. Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe director general, said: “Security is non-negotiable, it is at the very top of priorities for Europe’s airports.
As such all airports will comply.