English Corner
These are the new hand luggage rules in Europe
Thanks to the latest generation of CT scanners, more and more airports have recently been allowing larger quantities of liquids in hand luggage. Passengers were allowed to carry up to 330 milliliters, depending on the departure airport. A total of up to two liters was permitted. In addition, passengers no longer had to remove the liquids from their hand luggage at the security check.
This is now a thing of the past: the EU Commission has made a U-turn. As of September 1, the 100-milliliter rule will once again apply to all airports - whether equipped with older X-ray or new CT scanners. Exactly as it was in force for many years before the relaxation. However, there has been a small improvement: At airports with modern CT scanners, such as Hamburg, liquids are still allowed to remain in the suitcase, they just have to follow the 100 milliliter rule.
Medication that has to be taken during the flight does not fall under the 100 milliliter rule. This also applies to baby food. However, many airlines do not specify exactly whether baby food is only permitted if a baby is actually traveling with you.
All airports in the EU as well as in Iceland, Switzerland and Norway are affected. The reason for the adjustment is defects in certain series of CT scanners from one manufacturer, reports the aviation portal «Aerotelegraph».
The British Department for Transport had already reintroduced a 100-milliliter limit for liquids nationwide in June. Airports that had already switched completely to CT scanners, such as London City or Newcastle, had to row back (Travelnews reported). The rate of liquids rejected by the CT scanners was higher than expected, reported the British newspaper «The Times».
False report about changes to baggage
Reports recently circulated that not only the rules on liquids would change on September 1, but also the requirements for carrying hand luggage. However, this is not the case. For the time being, the size and weight of hand luggage will remain the same.
«There is no forthcoming EU regulation that provides for changes to hand luggage regulations», a spokeswoman for the EU Commission told «Reisereporter». «It is true that the Commission services organized a workshop with all interested stakeholders in July to discuss possible common industry standards for the weight and dimensions of cabin baggage», the spokesperson said.
This initiative stems from a request made by former Transport Commissioner Vălean in December 2023 for the industry to develop such standards in cooperation with other stakeholders. «The Commission expects to receive further information from the industry shortly on the progress made in developing common standards and plans to organize a follow-up workshop in the autumn», the spokesperson continued.
There are currently major differences from airline to airline when it comes to hand luggage on board. While some airlines include a small wheeled suitcase plus handbag in the price, others only allow a small backpack. Some airlines even have different hand luggage regulations depending on the ticket class.