Aviation experts are warning about potential chaos at European airports this summer as liquid restrictions are set to be reintroduced. The European Commission has announced that from September 1 the 100ml liquid restriction will apply once again - meaning all liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols must be less than 100mkl and placed inside a clear plastic bag before you take them through airport security at any EU airport. It means holidaymakers travelling throughout Europe will no longer be able to carry any liquids measuring more than 100ml in their hand luggage.
The temporary restrictions will begin from September 1 in all EU airports - including those which have installed new-generation C3 scanning equipment for hand luggage. Europe’s branch of Airports Council International (ACI) has condemned this move, saying it will likely lead to significant delays at border screening - right in time for the summer holidays. “It will result in significant operational strain, the mitigation of which will require the deployment of additional staff and the reconfiguration of security checkpoints, where feasible,” a press release from the organisation read.
The U-turn follows on from many airports installing new C3 scanners at security gates, which in theory will allow for liquids over 100ml to be carried through on to the plane. However, this has now been reversed. Although the restriction is slated to be a temporary measure, there is no timeline on when it might be lifted, something ACI has called for with urgency, to give both airport staff and travellers some peace of mind.
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 in full with the new restriction. However, the fact remains that those airports which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially.
They had taken the decision to invest and deploy C3 scanners in good faith, based on the EU having greenlighted this equipment without any restriction attached. “We need to draw the lessons from this situation and make sure the EU certification system provides the necessary legal certainty and operational stability moving forward.” Check out more of Daily Mirror's latest travel stories by signing up to our free weekly newsletter.
.
