Approval granted for fresh airport regulations within the European Union
The European Union has given the green light to advanced airport scanners developed by UK company Smiths Detection, allowing passengers to carry liquids of up to 2 liters in hand luggage, marking a significant change from the previous 100ml limit.
The approval, granted by both the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in June 2025 and the European Commission, follows successful testing of the scanners. These state-of-the-art devices are capable of detecting liquid explosives, thereby permitting larger liquid containers through security checks.
However, the implementation of this technology is complex and currently limited to airports equipped with the specific Smiths Detection technology. Scanners from other manufacturers like Nuctech and Rapiscan are not yet approved, leading to a fragmented rollout across EU airports.
The new scanners are larger and more expensive than traditional screening equipment, often requiring terminal modifications and software upgrades before full operation. As of now, approximately 700 Smiths Detection scanners are in use or being installed across approximately 21 EU member states.
Notable airports using the technology include seven terminals in Italy, Frankfurt and Munich airports in Germany, Ljubljana Airport (Slovenia), and others across Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Frankfurt Airport, for instance, has around 40 of these scanners operational with 40 more on order.
Despite ongoing software updates and mixed equipment usage, the gradual removal of the 100ml liquid limit is underway where the scanners are in place and operational, improving convenience for passengers. However, it's important to note that the phased and partial lift of liquid restrictions depends on individual airports’ decisions and readiness with the approved equipment.
Each airport is responsible for informing passengers whether they are using the cutting-edge technology or not. The European Commission for Transport, which is not responsible for practical measures at airports, has given the European seal of approval to this configuration of airport scanners. The approval pertains to a first configuration of airport scanners, with expectations that the new configuration will improve the efficiency of security checks at airports in the EU.
For clarification, the approval does not automatically allow all passengers in the EU to carry larger containers of liquids. The primary function of the new scanners is to expedite security checks by allowing passengers to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on baggage. The new scanners are intended to enhance security measures at airports within the EU.
For more information on this matter, the European Commission for Transport spokesperson, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, can be contacted. The approval of these scanners comes after the EU executive had previously banned the technology due to technical issues, but has now authorized it. The approval was given in response to the increased threat, with the European Commission adopting additional aviation security rules in 2006 following several failed attacks on transatlantic flights.
- The upgrade in airport security, facilitated by the technology deployed by Smiths Detection, is transforming the travel lifestyle for many passengers in the European Union, as they can now carry larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage.
- As the rollout of the advanced airport scanners continues across various member states, the architecture of air travel within the EU is being significantly influenced by the integration of these state-of-the-art devices, designed to enhance security measures while simultaneously improving the convenience of airport checkpoints.
