EU airports to scrap 100ml liquids rule: What it means for Switzerland

New security screening equipment has been approved for use in airports in the European Union, enabling passengers to bring bottles larger than 100 millilitres on board. What does the change mean for passengers travelling to and from Swiss airports?

EU approves new airport security scanners

Euronews reports that the EC has approved the use of new explosive detection systems in airport security. The new systems are capable of scanning the contents of large liquid containers, meaning that passengers would soon be able to bring liquids in containers of up to two litres on board in their hand luggage. The change was first reported by Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera. 

Various airports have been installing the new CT scanner detection systems - and were preparing to scrap the 100ml liquid rule last year - but in the summer of 2024, the European Commission imposed a temporary pause on the systems, citing technical issues. This saw the liquid rule kept in place temporarily. 

Now, however, the European Commission, working together with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), has successfully tested a solution to the technical issue and has given the screening equipment the green light. 

This means that airports where the advanced scanners have already been installed - such as Berlin, Rome, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Milan - can start to use them once again, and therefore scrap their hand luggage liquid restrictions. An EC spokesperson told Euronews that they expected this to happen “in the coming days”. 

Will Swiss airports ditch the 100ml liquid rule?

Although Switzerland is not part of the EU, Swiss airports adhere to EU security rules for liquids in hand luggage. Under these rules, hand luggage liquids - including liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes - must be in containers no larger than 100ml each, presented in a sealable plastic bag. There are some exceptions for baby products and medications. 

With the EC's updated advice, the question is: will these rules be scrapped at Swiss airports?

The answer is yes and no. Not all EU airports have the advanced scanners, which are significantly more expensive than traditional screening systems, and the EU is not making it a mandatory requirement for airports to install the new technology; instead, it will be up to individual airports to decide.

In Switzerland, only Zurich Airport is close. Since summer 2024, it has been trialling two new CT scanners, capable of scanning liquid containers larger than 100ml. A spokesperson for the airport told the Tages-Anzeiger that it plans to install a further 24 CT scanners in the autumn, meaning it could soon phase out the 100ml rule. Geneva Airport also has the latest-generation scanners, but is waiting to receive certification that they meet the new standard. A spokesperson told SRF they expect this to happen by the end of the year.

No other Swiss airports have the CT scanners - and so far have no plans to install them - meaning that the 100ml liquid rule will remain in place. 

Check the airport's liquid rules before travelling

This means that travellers will likely be faced with a confusing patchwork of rules - not just in Switzerland, but across the entire EU. For instance, it could be that you depart from an airport that has the scanners, but return home via an airport that doesn’t. This would mean that liquids above 100ml would only be allowed in hand luggage on the departing flight, but not on the return journey. 

Passengers are being advised to check the rules in place at both their departure and return airports before travelling, to ensure they don’t run foul of confusion.