The restrictions on liquids in hand luggage during flights could soon be a thing of the past, according to Willie Walsh, director of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to him, the new generation of scanners are increasingly capable of detecting dangerous substances, which could make this safety measure redundant.
Currently, passengers are only allowed to carry small amounts of liquids: a maximum of 100 milliliters per container and a total of no more than one liter. These liquids must be packed in a transparent bag and be ready for inspection by security. These rules, which have been in place since 2006, were introduced to prevent explosives from being smuggled onto the aircraft.
Walsh emphasizes that technological advances play a major role in relaxing these rules. He calls it a matter of time before the restrictions are lifted. However, an exact date for this change is still unknown.
In the Netherlands, airports such as Schiphol, Eindhoven Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport have previously experimented with advanced scanners. This temporarily allowed larger quantities of liquids to be carried in hand luggage. However, this relaxation had to be reversed as of 1 September, because the European Commission is striving for uniformity in the rules within the EU.
The developments around the advanced scanners offer hope for travellers, but for now the current rules remain in force. We are waiting for the green light from the European authorities.
“uniformity of rules within the EU”
Well, that's one of the few topics where that happens…
Typical case of 'happy with a dead sparrow', since there is absolutely no visibility on the moment of the end of these restrictions. If it goes as fast as with the abolition of summer and winter time, then we can wait a long time!