In 2006, the EU issued strict rules for liquids in airline passengers’ hand luggage due to fears of liquid explosives. A new generation of scanners has relaxed the rules. Now there are doubts.
At airports, the liquids rules for hand luggage are being tightened again. From September 1, passengers will only be allowed to carry liquids in small containers of up to 100 milliliters, provided they are packed in a transparent plastic bag with a maximum volume of one liter. This has been pointed out by the Federal Police and the Frankfurt airport operator Fraport.
The reason for this is doubts within the EU about the reliability of the new baggage scanners using computer tomography (CT) technology, which is well known in medicine. These can produce three-dimensional images of the hand luggage contents in a matter of seconds, so that the liquids regulations seem superfluous.
The liquids rule, which was introduced in 2006, was suspended at some German control lanes when the luggage could be checked with CT scanners. “Even larger bottles could remain in hand luggage,” said a spokesman for the Federal Police in Frankfurt. But that is now over for the time being until the security concerns are investigated.
New EU guidelines
According to new EU regulations, larger bottles are again banned, while containers up to 100 milliliters can remain in hand luggage and do not need to be unpacked. Electronic devices can also remain in the suitcase.
At the control lanes with conventional scanners that are still widespread in Germany, electronics and bags still have to be unpacked and presented, which is a time-consuming process. Medicines and liquid baby food are exempt from the liquids rules.
The airport association ADV is demanding a rapid review of the technology. CEO Ralph Beisel explains: “The airport association ADV is urgently calling on the security authorities in Germany and Europe to implement all security-related measures quickly so that the status quo is restored. The airports want travel to be safe and comfortable at the same time.”
Source: Stern
