New EU hand luggage restrictions begin this weekend

European airports are clamping down on liquids being carried in hand luggage, and unwary travellers could be forced to bin everything from hand lotions and perfumes to prized bottles of spirits and wine before they go through the security scanners.

From Sunday September 1, 2024, all liquids in cabin bags must be in bottles of 100ml or less; the same limit applies to aerosols and gels.

It’s an abrupt about-face from a previous government mandate for European airports to install advanced scanners – known as Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB) – which would allow up to two litres of liquids in carry-ons.

Those ‘3D’ scanners also meant passengers no longer had to take liquids out from their hand luggage.

But their effectiveness was called into question after a technical report from the European Civil Aviation Conference noted the software used in these scanners could not guarantee their reliability for containers holding more than 330ml.

The 100ml limit returns

As a result, the European Commission says that the 100ml rule will be “temporarily” reimposed from this weekend across all EU airports, including those equipped with the new scanners.

In short, the 100ml limit is coming back into force – and at most airports, must be carried within a resealable clear plastic bag with a maximum volume of one litre. Liquids and gels over 100ml will need to be put into checked luggage.

The UK government made a similar decision in June, to the consternation of passengers who were just getting used to a smoother and more seamless trot from check-in to lounge.

“This precautionary measure is not in response to any new threat but addresses a temporary technical issue, undertaken in alignment with the EU’s international partners,” the European Commission said in a statement.

“The commission is collaborating closely with member states and the European Civil Aviation Conference to develop swift technical solutions, ensuring the highest standards of safety and security in air travel.”

More delays expected

The change is expected to create lengthy delays at European airports over the coming weeks, and comes ahead of a move by European border stations to end stamping passports from November 10, when the EU switches to a biometric-based Entry-Exit System (EES).

Border checkpoints will then rely on digital photographs and fingerprints for registering travellers from all non-EU countries.

“It will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks for all passengers from outside the EU,” says EU commissioner Ylva Johansson, who promises it will make “travel easier and border checks gradually faster.”

In turn, the EES sets the stage for the introduction of a mandatory electronic visa waiver – the long-delayed European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – in the first half of 2025, Johansson said.

Similar to the United States’ ESTA program and the UK ETA launching later this year, Europe’s electronic travel authorisation will cost €7 (A$11.50) and be valid for three years.

Also read: Australia is finally ditching the incoming passenger card