Holidaymakers warned over major hand luggage rule change across Europe

Holidaymakers jetting off from European airports have been issued a warning about changes to hand luggage rules. Starting next month, the 100ml liquid rule will be reinstated across all European airports.

Earlier this year, new CT scanners were rolled out at several European airports, allowing passengers to carry larger quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. Travellers could carry up to two litres of liquids, and the scanners also eliminated the need for people to remove electronics like laptops and phones from their bags.

However, despite the advanced scanners, passengers flying from European airports will need to ensure that the liquids in their carry-on luggage do not exceed 100ml from September 1, 2024.

The temporary restriction was announced by the European Commission following news that the Department for Transport (DfT) would be bringing back the liquids rule at Leeds Bradford, London City, Aberdeen, Teesside and Southend airports.

As reported in Travel Weekly, the Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) described the new restrictions as “a blow to major investments by airports”, reports the Mirror.

Olivier Jankovec, ACI Europe director general, told Travel Weekly: “All airports will comply with the new restriction. However, airports which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised operationally and financially.”

“They took the decision to invest and deploy C3 scanners in good faith, based on the EU having greenlighted this equipment without any restriction. The decision to now impose significant restrictions to their use questions the trust and confidence the industry can place in the current EU certification system for aviation security equipment.”

The duration of these restrictions is yet to be confirmed, and airports operating within the 27 EU member states, Iceland, Switzerland and Norway will have to adhere to them.

The 100ml rule, first introduced in 2006, was reinstated in the UK on June 9, 2024. All liquid items in hand luggage must be under 100ml.

This rule applies to items such as aerosols, gels, moisturisers, makeup and sun cream. All liquids must be placed into a 20cm x 20cm sealed plastic bag before passing through airport security.