Lois Larson
Since the introduction of the 100ml liquid limit in 2006, airports around the world have been enforcing this rule to prevent liquid explosives from being carried onto planes. However, new technology in the form of 3D CT scanners has been introduced at airport security checkpoints, allowing passengers to leave liquids in their hand luggage. As of April 2025, airports such as Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend, and Teesside International have implemented more relaxed liquid rules. It is important to note that the 100ml limit for each individual liquid still applies, and rules may vary across airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airports with new liquid rules | Donegal, Shannon, Dublin, Munich, Nuremberg, Teesside International, London City, Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh |
| Implementation timeline | Donegal and Shannon Airports have had CT scanners since late 2021. Munich Airport unveiled 5 CT scanners in 2022. Nuremberg Airport opened its first CT scanner in 2022. By 2024, all major airports across the UK were expected to have been updated with the latest security innovations. |
| New liquid rules | Passengers can travel with larger volumes of liquids as long as they fit inside their cabin bags. There is no need to put them in a separate clear bag. |
| Impact | Reduced wait times, cheaper and more efficient packing, no need to buy travel-sized toiletries. |
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Airports with CT scanners
The introduction of new CT scanners at airports has brought about changes to the existing liquid rules. CT scanners are being introduced at security checkpoints, enabling screening staff to see the contents of carry-on baggage more clearly. This technology is similar to CT scans used in the medical field. The scanners create a 3D image that can be viewed and rotated on three axes for thorough visual image analysis. This allows for the automatic detection of explosives, including liquids.
Several airports have already installed CT scanners, including Donegal and Shannon Airports, which introduced the technology in late 2021. These scanners mean that the 100ml limit on liquids no longer applies, and passengers can travel with larger volumes of liquids as long as they fit inside their cabin bags. Dublin Airport also opened new C-3 security scanners in June 2023, although the 100ml liquid restrictions still apply for now. Munich Airport has unveiled CT scanners across Terminals 1 and 2, and Nuremberg Airport has opened its first scanner. Both Bavarian airports plan to complete their upgrades to these new systems by 2026.
In the UK, Teesside International Airport and London City Airport have also introduced CT scanners. The UK government announced in June 2024 that the 100ml restriction on liquids would be reintroduced at all six airports with CT scanners, although these can remain inside luggage and don't need to be placed in a separate plastic bag. This includes Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside airports.
In the US, CT scanners have been installed at several airports, including Philadelphia International Airport, Richmond International Airport, Norfolk International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport. These scanners allow passengers to leave liquids and electronics in their carry-on bags, although new temporary measures have restricted liquid rules for carry-on luggage at some UK airports.
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The 100ml rule
In recent years, some airports have started to relax this rule with the introduction of new CT scanners, which can screen liquids inside hand luggage more effectively. Airports that have implemented these scanners include Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin Brandenburg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Shannon, Donegal, Dublin, London City, Teesside International, and Bristol.
However, in June 2024, the UK Department for Transport ordered a reintroduction of the 100ml restriction on liquids at six airports (Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside). This decision was made due to a "temporary technical issue" with the new scanners, which caused delays as staff had to manually check flagged items.
As of September 2024, the European Commission has also reinstated the 100ml rule across all EU airports to address the technical issues with the new scanners. It is currently unclear how long these restrictions will remain in place.
Therefore, it is recommended that passengers check the latest liquid rules for their departure and return airports before travelling.
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Plastic bags
However, the introduction of new 3D X-ray technology at airport security checkpoints across the world means that, at some airports, passengers are no longer required to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage. This includes airports in the UK, such as Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend, Teesside and Liverpool. Donegal and Shannon Airports in Ireland have had this technology in place since 2021, and Dublin Airport opened new security scanners in 2023.
Outside of the UK and Ireland, Munich Airport, Nuremberg Airport, and Václav Havel Airport Prague have also introduced the new scanners, and many airports across the Middle East, the Far East and the US have had the scanning technology in place for years.
Despite these changes, it is important to note that the 100ml limit for each individual liquid still applies, and there is a confusing two-tiered system in place across UK airports. Some airports allow passengers to leave liquids in their cabin bags with no maximum limit, while others stick to the old resealable bag system. Therefore, it is always worth checking the rules of your departure and arrival airports before travelling, to ensure you are adhering to the correct liquid rules.
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Exemptions
While the 100ml restriction on liquids in carry-on luggage remains in place across most airports, there are some exemptions to this rule. These exemptions vary by country and airport, and may change as new security technology is implemented. Here are some general exemptions to the liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage:
Some liquids are exempt from the 100ml restriction and can be carried in larger quantities. These include:
- Breast milk
- Baby food and drink for infants under two years of age
- Essential medical liquids
- Special dietary requirement liquids
Duty-Free Liquids
Liquids purchased at duty-free shops or on board an aircraft are exempt from the 100ml restriction, provided they are sealed inside a tamper-evident bag with a receipt. However, different countries may have varying rules for duty-free liquids. For example, in Canada, duty-free alcohol is allowed within certain personal exemption amounts.
Insect Repellent
One aerosol canister of insect repellent per person is generally allowed, with a maximum container limit of 500ml/500g.
Airports with New Liquid Rules
As of 2025, some airports in the UK have implemented new CT scanners, allowing passengers to carry liquids in their hand luggage without the 100ml restriction. These airports include Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside. However, the Department for Transport has ordered that the 100ml restriction be temporarily reintroduced at these airports.
Donegal and Shannon Airports in Ireland have had CT scanners since late 2021, eliminating the 100ml liquid limit. Dublin Airport also introduced new C-3 security scanners in June 2023, but the 100ml restriction still applies until the program is fully completed.
By 2026, several airports in Germany and Spain are expected to have installed CT scanners, which may lead to changes in liquid restrictions.
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Confusion at airports
As of 2025, there is a confusing two-tiered system in place across UK airports regarding liquid rules. Some airports allow passengers to leave liquids in their cabin bags with no maximum limit, while others stick to the old resealable bag system. This means that passengers travelling with liquids may need to follow different rules depending on the airport they are travelling from.
In 2024, upgraded scanners in some airports meant that passengers no longer had to limit toiletries to 100ml or remove items such as toothpaste and deodorant from their cabin bags. However, in June 2024, the Department for Transport ordered that the 100ml restriction on liquids be reintroduced at six airports in the UK, including Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, London City, Southend, and Teesside. This caused confusion as different airports and even different queues within the same airport may have had varying rules.
Many European airports, including those in Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, have installed next-generation scanners and were enforcing more relaxed liquid rules as of summer 2024. However, in September 2024, the European Commission temporarily reintroduced the liquid limit due to concerns about the accuracy of the new scanners. This caused further confusion for passengers travelling within Europe.
It is important to note that the rules regarding liquids at airports are constantly evolving as new technology is introduced. Passengers are advised to check the latest guidelines and restrictions at their departure airport to avoid any issues when travelling with liquids.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Southend, and Teesside International Airport have implemented new liquid rules.
The new liquid rules allow passengers to leave liquids in their hand luggage as long as they're under the 100ml limit. Liquids no longer need to be placed in a clear plastic bag.
The new liquid rules were implemented following the introduction of new CT scanners at security checkpoints, which enable screening staff to see the contents of carry-on baggage more clearly.
