Passengers travelling from Dublin Airport will from midnight on Thursday be allowed up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage and will no longer need to place liquids, gels or pastes in a clear plastic bag.
The DAA announced on Thursday that it is relaxing its security rules at both of its terminals in Dublin due to multi-million euro upgrades to scanners.
Electronics will also no longer need to be taken out of hand luggage at security.
Passengers have had to remove liquids from their baggage at Dublin Airport, even though the installation of new high-tech scanners was supposed to eliminate this need. This was because of a temporary European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ruling last year.
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A decision reversing that ruling will permit travellers to keep liquids of up to two litres in their bags, speeding up their passage through security.
The DAA said many airports in the UK and across Europe are not as advanced, so passengers should check rules on liquids for these locations regarding return trips.
About 30 new “C3” scanners have been rolled out across Dublin Airport’s two terminals. The machines use technology similar to CT scanners in hospitals, generating 3D images of bags, which makes it easier to detect the contents.
Dublin Airport is one of the first European airports to fully switch over to C3.
Shannon Airport has C3 scanners and says on its website that passengers do not need to put their 100ml liquids in plastic bags or remove them from their bags at security.
DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs said Cork Airport “won’t be far behind”, with work starting this month on the construction of a new mezzanine floor that will be equipped with C3 technology.
“A safe and smooth security experience is a cornerstone of any airport’s passenger offering, and that’s why we’re working so hard to make it great at Cork and Dublin airports,” he said.
According to DAA spokesman Graeme McQueen, there is no limit to the amount of containers that passengers will be able to take through security, as long as each measures two litres or less.
The type of liquids allowed to pass through in hand luggage is not being restricted either.
“Generally all liquids are okay … The normal stuff like alcohol is fine, water is fine, coffee and tea,” said Mr McQueen. The new rules also apply to gels and pastes.
“The biggest limitation people should be aware of is that the rules might not be the same at the airport you’re coming back from,” he warns.
Welcoming the changes, he said the 100ml rule has “been a frustration of a lot of passengers for years”.
“It has been a long time coming, so it is a good day for passengers.”
