EUROPE. Passengers travelling via European airports will once again be required to limit liquid items in their carry-on luggage to 100ml starting 1 September.
The stipulation is based on a new regulation announced by the European Commission last month and follows the UK government’s decision in June to reinstate the 100ml liquid limit for hand luggage.
This regulation is temporary but authorities did not issue precise guidelines, particularly on liquids purchased at airport duty-free stores.
The updated measure requires airports using Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB) equipment to revert to the standard liquid limit for individual liquid containers. These advanced systems in place at some European airports currently allow passengers to carry liquid containers exceeding 100ml.
The Commission noted that the rule does not apply to airports with existing 100ml liquid restrictions or those without EDSCB equipment.
The measure is a precautionary step addressing a temporary technical problem, and not a response to new threats, the Commission said. The rule is being implemented in coordination with the EU’s international partners.
The Commission said it is working closely with member states and the European Civil Aviation Conference to develop swift technical solutions ensuring the highest safety and security standards in air travel.
Airports Council International (ACI) Europe responded to this regulation and urged on the European Commission and member states to urgently establish a roadmap with set milestones to lift the current restrictions and restore the trust in the EU certification system for aviation security equipment.
ACI Europe Director General Olivier Jankovec said: “Security is non-negotiable, it is at the very top of priorities for Europe’s airports. As such all airports will comply in full with the new restriction. However, the fact remains that those airports which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially.
“They had taken the decision to invest and deploy C3 scanners in good faith, based on the EU having greenlighted this equipment without any restriction attached. 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.
“We need to draw the lessons from this situation and make sure the EU certification system provides the necessary legal certainty and operational stability moving forward.” ✈
