Europe Relaxes Liquid Rules at Some Airports

A big change is coming to European Union (EU) airports, which this week will start rolling back the liquid restriction for passengers traveling through security.

The move, a long time coming for European airports, which saw the change delayed last summer by a European Commission ruling, will now allow travelers to bring liquids up to 2 liters through security checkpoints at some airports across Europe. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

Only airports with advanced scanners will see the rule change. It’s up to individual airports to invest in these new scanners, which use computed tomography (CT) to scan bags. Airports that do not opt for the new scanners will still require travelers to abide by the old rule (100 ml, or 3.4 ounces). The new scanners will also allow travelers to keep large electronics in their bags.

The good news is that many of Europe’s hubs will soon have the scanners. The Independent is reporting that airports in Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam, and Milan have all opted in. Others in the U.K., which isn’t governed by the European rules, have also relaxed liquid restrictions, though London Heathrow Airport (LHR) has yet to do so widely.

The bad news, particularly for U.S. travelers, is that the lack of a standard rule could mean travelers connecting through a European airport might experience different standards in one trip. Travelers are strongly advised to check the current rules for both their departing and return airports before traveling.

Things could be changing stateside, too. After ending the “no shoes” policy at airport security nationwide, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told media that a change to the liquid rules in the U.S. could be “next.” The U.S. currently imposes the same liquid limits that the EU is relaxing