From 1 September, the European Commission will reinstate maximum limits of 100 millilitres for liquids carried in hand luggage at airports. This is due to technical problems with security scanners, not any potential threat, a European Commission spokesman assured on Tuesday.
The Commission has decided to temporarily reintroduce a maximum capacity of 100 ml for liquids that can be carried in EU airports from 1 September. hand luggage. – This is caused solely and exclusively by technical problems related to the scanners installed at some airports for screening passenger luggage, this decision does not result from any potential threat – EC spokesman Tim McPhie emphasized at a press briefing. He added that the solution ordered by the EC is temporary and will only apply until “technical problems” related to the devices are resolved.
Airport scanners problematic
Previously, some European airports, including Germany, Italy and Netherlandswhere modern CT scanners using 3D technology to scan cabin baggage have been installed, have decided to partially or completely abolish limits on liquids carried in hand bags.
These scanners display high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the contents of luggage, which allows them to detect explosive elements in all kinds of cosmetics, liquids or electronic devices. However, in a report sent in May last year to the European Civil Aviation Confederation (ECAC), the EC questioned the effectiveness of this technology, arguing that the software is unreliable for containers with a capacity exceeding 330 ml. At the end of July this year, Brussels decided to temporarily reinstate the restrictions to “prevent possible threats”. Organisations representing airports warn that the EC's decision means financial losses for airports that have invested in modern technology. A Commission spokesman did not say on Tuesday whether the EC is planning to compensate affected airports.
Main image source: Framalicious / Shutterstock