Good news for travellers! More and more European airports are introducing a new generation of 3D security scanners (CT scanners), gradually changing the usual rules for hand luggage security checks.

The Main Change

At airports where these modern scanners have already been installed, passengers are no longer required to carry liquids in containers of no more than 100 ml. Instead, liquids with a total volume of up to 2 litres can be carried in hand luggage, regardless of the size of each individual container – whether bottles, cosmetics or other containers.

This means that a 0.5- or 1-litre bottle of water, a 400 ml bottle of shampoo, a 250 ml bottle of sunscreen or another liquid should no longer cause problems at security if you are departing from an airport equipped with the new CT scanners.

How Do the New Scanners Work?

The new computed tomography (CT) scanners create a three-dimensional image of the contents of hand luggage. This allows security staff to examine the contents of a bag in detail without having to open it or remove items from inside.

This significantly speeds up the security screening process and makes it more convenient for passengers.

What Has Changed for Passengers?

At airports equipped with the new scanners, passengers no longer need to:

remove laptops and other large electronic devices from backpacks or cabin bags;
place tablets, cameras or gaming consoles in separate trays;
put liquids in a transparent 1-litre plastic bag;
follow the 100 ml limit for each individual container.

Most items can remain inside hand luggage, making the security screening process much faster.

Where Are the New Rules Already in Place?

CT scanners are currently being used at the following airports in Europe:

🇩🇪 Berlin – BER (Terminal 2);
🇮🇹 Milan Malpensa – Terminal 2;
🇮🇹 Milan Linate;
🇵🇱 Kraków;
🇮🇪 Dublin – DUB (Terminals 1 and 2);
🇨🇿 Prague – Terminal 2;
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Edinburgh – EDI;
🇮🇹 Rome Fiumicino – FCO;
🇲🇹 Malta – MLA;
🇬🇧 London Heathrow – LHR;
🇬🇧 London Gatwick – LGW;
🇱🇹 Vilnius – VNO;
🇷🇴 Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP).

At these airports, passengers can already benefit from the advantages offered by the new security technology.

Which Airports Will Introduce the New Scanners in the Coming Years?

Modernisation is continuing, and the list of airports equipped with CT scanners is constantly expanding.

By the End of 2026

CT scanners are planned to be installed at:

🇨🇭 Zurich – ZRH;
🇩🇪 Munich – Terminals 1 and 2;
🇩🇰 Billund – BLL;
🇱🇹 Kaunas – KUN;
🇵🇱 Warsaw Chopin.

By Spring 2027

The new scanners are expected to become operational at:

🇦🇹 Vienna – Terminal 3.

Between 2027 and 2028

The installation of the new equipment is also planned at:

🇧🇪 Brussels – BRU.

Why Are Airports Investing Millions of Euros?

Installing CT scanners is an expensive project. For major airports, modernisation requires investments worth millions of euros because dozens of security lanes must be upgraded and staff need to be trained to use the new equipment.

However, these investments can bring significant benefits.

The new systems can help:

significantly reduce queues at security checkpoints;
speed up hand luggage screening;
reduce the number of manual bag checks;
improve passenger comfort;
enhance the detection of potentially dangerous items.

Ultimately, both airports and travellers can benefit from these modern technologies.

New Airport Scanners: You Can Now Carry Up to 2 Litres of Liquids in Your Hand Luggage