New regulations for EU airports receive approval
New Advanced Airport Security Scanners Approved by EU
The European Union has given the green light for the use of new airport security scanners that employ advanced computer tomography (CT) technology. These scanners, primarily manufactured by British company Smiths Detection, can reliably detect liquid explosives inside larger bottles, a task that traditional X-ray machines struggled with.
As of August 2025, approximately 700 of these CT scanning devices, equipped with the approved explosive detection technology, have been installed or are being installed in airports across 21 EU member states. These include Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden. The rollout of these new scanners depends on individual airports and countries deciding to implement the technology, leading to an uneven adoption rate and a gradual phase-out of the 100ml liquid restriction, which may vary by location, even within different terminals of the same airport.
The EU's decision to approve the technology follows cooperation with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), which tested and endorsed a technical solution in June 2025. Only scanners passing ECAC's tests and the EU Commission's final stamp of approval can be used to lift the liquid restriction. At present, only Smiths Detection's CT scanners meet these standards; other manufacturers' devices, such as those from Nuctech or Rapiscan, are pending recertification and approval.
Passengers can look forward to a smoother security check process as these new scanners are expected to streamline the process. With the new scanners, passengers will no longer need to remove laptops and liquids from their carry-on baggage.
The restrictions on transporting liquids, aerosols, and gels by passengers were implemented in 2006, following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and several failed attacks on transatlantic flights in 2006. The European Commission's approval for the operation of this equipment in the European Union has already been granted, and the new scanners are part of a broader effort to enhance aviation security.
It is important to note that the responsibility for informing passengers about whether they can carry larger containers of liquids remains with each airport. The EU executive had previously banned the technology due to technical issues, but has now authorized it. The new scanners will operate within the European Union and are intended to improve airport security procedures.
The announcement was made by Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokesperson for the European Commission for Transport, during a press conference at the institution's daily press conference in Brussels. The new scanners represent a significant step forward in enhancing airport security while providing a more convenient experience for passengers.
Following the EU's approval, these advanced airport security scanners are set to revolutionize travel, as they can be found in airports across Europe. With the deployment of this new technology, one can expect a lifestyle improvement, as passengers will no longer need to adhere strictly to the 100ml liquid restriction, thanks to the capability of these scanners to reliably detect explosives, even inside larger bottles.
