Understanding Airline Liquid Restrictions: What You Can Bring on Board Today

New Rules for Air Travelers

Significant changes have taken effect for air travelers.
As of September 1st, the previous restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage have been reinstated.
This regulation had been lifted at certain airports about a year ago, specifically at those equipped with the advanced C3 scanners.
These innovative scanners can differentiate among liquids and detect potential explosives.
Consequently, passengers no longer needed to separate their liquids from other baggage contents or stay within the previous maximum limit of 1 liter.
In Italy, this rule had been relaxed at Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, and Linate airports.

However, the European Commission has announced a return to the old regulations due to security concerns.
The new scanners require revisions to meet explosive detection standards.
According to Adalbert Jahnz, the spokesperson for the European Commission, this is a temporary restriction due to identified technical issues with the machines.
Until these issues are resolved, the old practices will be reinstated.
As of September 1st, passengers are allowed to carry a maximum of 1 liter of liquids, divided into containers no larger than 100ml, stored in a transparent bag, which must be removed during security checks.

Overview of Liquids Allowed on Flights

The liquid transport limit was established in 2006 for security reasons, especially after terrorist threats.
With this limit, assembling bombs or explosive devices becomes significantly more challenging.
What was initially meant to be a temporary guideline became a persistent regulation, recently altered with the introduction of C3 scanners.
Now, however, air travelers must revert to the established liquid restrictions.

Only LAG (Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels) are permitted in hand luggage, including:

• Water and other beverages, soups, syrups;
• Creams, lotions, and oils;
• Perfumes;
• Aerosol sprays;
• Gels, including hair gels and shower gels;
• Contents from pressurized containers, including shaving foam, other foams, and deodorants;
• Pastes, including toothpaste;
• Mixtures of liquids and solids;
• Any other products of similar consistency.

Specific Guidelines for Liquids

Water and Other Beverages

As there is a maximum limit of 1 liter for liquids, each container must not exceed 100 ml, and all liquids must be placed in a transparent bag, separated from other luggage contents.
During security checks, this bag must be removed.
Water and other beverages fall under this category, and thus must also comply with the 100 ml rule.
Notably, beverages purchased at duty-free shops before boarding are exempt from these restrictions, provided they remain sealed in transparent bags along with the receipt during the flight.

Medications

Travelers may need to carry liquids for medical purposes in their hand baggage.
Medical LAG can be transported in containers not exceeding 100 ml.
Baby food, such as purées, powdered milk, and sterilized water, can be brought aboard without limits if the security staff is informed beforehand.
However, there are no restrictions for solid medications like tablets or capsules.

Personal Hygiene Products

Personal care items, including creams, lotions, perfumes, gels, soaps, and toothpaste, follow the same regulations as other liquids.
The same maximum limit of 1 liter and the 100 ml container restriction applies.

For more information, read about the new hand luggage rules.