Spanish airport authority Aena has planned a change in the rules for hand luggage. This will be rolled out at Spanish airports in 2024 and follows similar changes in London and Amsterdam. The aim is to significantly reduce the flow time during inspections.
Passengers no longer need to remove their liquids and electronic devices from their hand luggage at security checkpoints. The introduction of advanced 3D X-ray scanners has made the implementation of this new hand luggage rule possible. These scanners can provide a more detailed picture than current systems. This technology is already in use at some US airports. In Spain, it will first be installed at Barajas airports in Madrid and El Prat in Barcelona. The plans are to expand it to other major airports in Spain. This includes Palma de Mallorca and Málaga-Costa del Sol, and ultimately to Gran Canaria and Tenerife Sur in 2026.
Still limit of 100 millimetres
According to Aena, regulations regarding carrying liquids will not change with the installation of the new scanners. Aena specifies: “Liquids, perfumes, creams, sprays, foams, gels and shampoos, hand disinfectant gel and toothpaste will have to be in individual packages of not more than 100 millilitres, in turn in a transparent plastic bag with an opening/closing system and with a capacity of not more than one litre.”Many also wonder what is considered a liquid. Products such as perfumes, creams, foams, lotions, jams, gels, toothpastes, and even mixtures of liquids and solids are considered liquids in carry-on baggage.
Scanners have yet to be delivered
Even though everything has already been decided, the change in the hand luggage rules is not yet tangible. Aena is awaiting delivery of the new EDSCB (Automatic Explosive Detection System for Cabin Baggage) scanners. It is also expected that these will be installed in the hold baggage detectors. At the beginning of 2023, Aena obtained a loan of €800 million, intended for improving safety and innovation projects. Of this loan, €188 million will be spent on security elements.
Also read: Spain punishes low-cost airlines over hand luggage policy
