Air Travelers Face Renewed 100ml Liquid Restrictions at UK and EU Airports

Air travelers hoping for the end of the “tiny toiletries” era will need to wait longer, as UK and EU airports have reinstated the 100ml liquid limit for cabin baggage. This move follows a temporary technical issue with the new CT X-ray security scanners, which had initially allowed some airports to relax these restrictions.

Previously, some EU airports, like those in Rome and Amsterdam, had implemented the advanced scanning technology, enabling passengers to carry larger volumes of liquids and leave laptops in their bags. However, the European Commission has now reintroduced the 100ml restriction across all EU airports, citing the need to address the technical issues with the new equipment.

The Airports Council International (ACI) Europe expressed disappointment, noting that this decision undermines significant investments made by airports in upgrading security systems. ACI’s director general, Olivier Jankovec, emphasized that while security remains a priority, early adopters of the new technology are being penalized operationally and financially.

The European Commission clarified that the restriction is not due to a new security threat but rather a response to the scanner issues. There is currently no timeline for when the rules might be relaxed again, and the UK government has also not provided a specific date for lifting the restrictions.

For now, travelers should assume that the 100ml limit on liquids, pastes, and gels in hand luggage is back in effect and should check the rules at both departure and return airports before traveling.