The European Commission (EC) recently announced that it will temporarily reintroduce limits to liquids carried in hand luggage at some airports around Europe.

For the last several years travellers around Europe have been looking forward to being rid of pesky hand luggage restrictions on liquids and electronic devices across all airports. In Spain, some airports have already spent millions on new high-tech scanners and were even beginning to phase them in to be able to scrap the rules.

However, following the EC decision, in certain airports the 100ml limit will now actually be reintroduced on liquids, aerosols, and gels (known as LAGs).

This comes after concerns emerged about the reliability of new EDSCB scanners installed in airports around the continent.

In a press note the EC states: “The European Commission will temporarily enforce restrictions on liquid screening at EU airports utilising Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB). 

“These systems, installed in certain EU airports, currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100ml.”

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What does this mean for travellers?

Basically, if you’re travelling through an airport that has already installed the new EDSCB scanners, you’ll soon need to abide by the old rules on carrying liquids in hand luggage.

If you travel through airports that are yet to install them, nothing changes.

What about electronic devices?

The other time-saving benefit of these new EDSCB scanners is that you no longer need to take out your electronic devices from your hand luggage.

According to the latest EC information available, the temporary rule change will not affect this.

When does this change come into effect?

From September 1st 2024. Per the EC statement: “Effective from 1 September 2024, the maximum allowed size for individual liquid containers will revert to the standard 100ml for airports operating this type of equipment.”

Airports that already limit liquids to 100ml or that have not deployed EDSCB equipment will not be affected by this change.

Why are they doing this?

The EC claims this is a “precautionary measure” due to a technical issue and not due to a heightened security risk.

This is according to a decision taken by the Airports Council International (ACI) when it was revising EU Aviation Security Regulations, which has introduced severe restrictions on the use of these new sorts of scanners.

Due to their state-of-the-art technology they previously allowed travellers around Europe to carry liquids in their hand luggage without the 100ml restriction, but the technical measure means this has been scrapped for now.

Why are there limits on liquids in airports?

EU Aviation Security Regulations limits liquids, aerosols, and gels to 100ml. This is because traditional security equipment cannot detect liquid explosives effectively.

However, there are often exceptions made for medicines and baby products.

What does this mean for Spain?

It depends where you’re travelling from.  According to Aena, Spain’s airport network, the new scanners have so far only been installed at Madrid’s Barajas and Barcelona’s El Prat airports, where they have been undergoing trial periods over the summer. 

This means that, from September 1st, liquids will be limited to 100ml there as before.

If you’re going through security at other Spanish airports, nothing will change for now and you’ll be limited to 100ml liquids in your carry on luggage, as you would’ve been before anyway.

Spanish media reports suggest that by the end of 2024 they will also be installed at Palma de Mallorca airport, before expanding to the rest of the airports in Spain.

However, though the EC describes the reintroduction of this liquid limit rules as “temporary”, it is unclear how long the rules will be in place for.