The “no more than 100 milliliters of liquid in luggage” rule looks set to be scrapped across much of Europe, thanks to new 3D scanners and improved X-ray technology that can detect explosives.
Time Out reports that two Spanish airports — Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat — are making changes this year, so travelers will no longer have to think about limiting liquids and removing electronics from their bags. Palma de Mallorca airport is due to follow by the end of the year, followed by changes to Malaga, Costa del Sol, in 2025.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol also relaxed its liquid rules with scanners back in 2021, while Rome Fiumicino and Leonardo da Vinci airports are two more hubs in Italy that have implemented C3.
The new scanning equipment, officially called C3 — Standard Explosives Detection System in Carry-on Baggage (EDS-CB), takes airport security to the next level by reducing queues and delays. Many countries have announced plans to gradually implement it, and several have already done so. London City Airport began using C3 scanners last April, and Leeds Bradford announced plans to do the same in the new year. Ireland is carrying out trials at Dublin and Cork airports and has installed them at Shannon Airport.
This technology is not new to the United States—Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Chicago O’Hare airports have used it for many years.
London Gatwick and Heathrow are expected to implement the system by early next year. Paris-Orly Airport has been testing the technology in its Terminal 3 since October and will continue until the same period in 2024. Geneva Airport has also begun experimenting with the new technology, but has not yet announced permanent implementation.