For many travelers, it is certainly a welcome message to avoid packing in small containers of 100 milliliters at most 1 liter in total. The updated rules allow larger containers – up to 2 liters – in hand luggage.
But the rules will be introduced gradually around Europe.
It does not mean that all passengers everywhere in the EU can now bring larger liquid containers, said EU Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen to journalists in Brussels on Tuesday.
New security check
Several airports have installed new X-ray equipment in security checks in recent years, which enables larger quantities of liquids to be brought, for example, Arlanda has new X-ray equipment at Terminal 5. But EU approval currently only applies to a certain type of scanner from a British supplier, which is not available at Arlanda.
So for the day, Arlanda is not affected by the changed rules, nor is Landvetter included.
At Kastrup in Copenhagen, the installation of new approved equipment is underway, but it is not expected to be ready until the end of May next year.
The rule change therefore paves the way for confusion for those who are going to fly, and the rules can also be different on outward and return journeys.
Confusing
"It is up to each airport to inform about the new rules and the possibility for passengers to bring larger containers on board. Hopefully, they will clarify for all who are going to travel from the airport if they use the new technology," writes Anna-Kaisa Itkonen to TT.
News site Politico Europe gives an example of the confusion: The one who flies from Linate Airport in Milan can bring two liters of liquid in hand luggage, as well as travelers from Terminal 1 at the city's other airport Malpensa. But travelers from Terminal 2 at Malpensa must stick to containers of 100 milliliters.
The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) continues to test equipment from other suppliers than the currently approved British Smiths Detection. When ECAC is finished with its certification, the EU Commission will also give formal approval.
