Bucharest airports lift 100 ml restriction on liquids in hand luggage

No more 100 ml bottles! Bucharest airports drop one of the most annoying rules in aviation

If you’ve ever traveled by plane, you know the scene all too well: you stand in line at security, take all the little bottles, creams, and gels out of your bag, put them in a transparent plastic pouch and hope you didn’t forget a larger bottle that will get confiscated. Well, for those flying from Bucharest, this problem has been solved.

Starting Wednesday, March 11, 2026, passengers departing from Henri Coandă International Airport (Otopeni) or Bucharest Băneasa – Aurel Vlaicu International Airport can board the plane with liquids in containers of up to 2 liters in their carry-on luggage. There is no longer any 100 ml limit per container.

A rule that is almost 20 years old

The 100 ml restriction was introduced in 2006, after British authorities foiled an extremely dangerous terrorist plot: a group was planning to detonate liquid explosives on board several planes bound for the United States that were set to depart from London. At that time, authorities around the world imposed the rule that has remained in force until today — nearly two decades during which millions of travelers have thrown away perfumes, shampoos, and bottles of water bought before boarding.

What has changed?

The answer is simple: technology. The National Company Bucharest Airports (CNAB) invested in a new generation of scanners capable of generating 3D images of carry-on luggage. In practice, security agents can now see in detail what is inside the bag without passengers having to take anything out — not the laptop, not the bottle of water, not the face cream.

“Through this investment we align ourselves with the best international practices and improve the passenger experience, while maintaining high security standards,” CNAB management stated. CEO Bogdan Mîdrescu confirmed that the modernization of the equipment made this change possible.

Attention: the rule does not apply to everyone

There is an important condition to remember: the relaxation of restrictions applies only to passengers who start their journey in Bucharest. If you are in transit or making a transfer through another airport, the old rules remain in force.

Even more importantly: even if you leave Bucharest without problems with a one-liter bottle of shampoo, you may have unpleasant surprises on the way back if the destination airport still applies the 100 ml limit. Many airports around the world have not yet made the transition to the new equipment, so products in large containers bought before the flight could be confiscated on your return.

A step forward toward the best international practices

The news is truly good — especially for those who travel frequently or for families with small children, who know how complicated it can be to comply with the 100 ml limit for all hygiene products. Bucharest thus joins a growing number of European airports that have modernized their security infrastructure and dropped this restriction.

Before packing, however, it is worth checking the rules of the airport at your destination. A bottle of cream forgotten in your carry-on bag can cost more than you think — not in fines, but in nerves and time lost at security.

Keep these recommendations in mind and travel safely with Zbor24.

*The new rules came into force on Wednesday, March 11, at 00:00, according to the official announcement of the National Company Bucharest Airports.