No More Taking Liquids and Laptops Out of Luggage at Airports in Spain

Traveling is one of the most beautiful and enriching adventures a person can experience. However, this pleasure is sometimes overshadowed by the complexity of preparations and the challenges at airports. Packing your suitcase to ensure everything fits, remembering essential items, and arriving at the terminal at least 2 hours early can lead to major anxiety situations.

One of the most stressful moments occurs when going through the rigorous airport security checks. Among hand luggage, coats, and purchases from duty-free shops, we are often asked to unpack electronic devices, liquids, remove our boots and belts, and even leave our mobile phones behind. All of this is in compliance with the specific protocols of each airport and country.

However, it appears that this will be the last year we have to take liquids and laptops out at airports in Spain and Europe. In this new cycle, the introduction of scanners is anticipated, which will streamline the process and provide significant benefits to both passengers and airport staff.

These controls, called EDSCB (Explosive Detection System for Cabin Baggage), will feature X-ray and 3D technologies that will allow staff to see luggage in greater detail without having to take liquids and laptops out separately. This will be possible thanks to the three-dimensional image and the explosive detection capabilities incorporated into the systems.

Along with the integration of these technologies, automated lines for managing hand luggage (ATRS) will be implemented, facilitating the separation of suspicious luggage and automatically mobilizing the return of trays without passenger intervention. Furthermore, a remote inspection system will be introduced, allowing officials to work from a separate room and not have to be physically present at the checks.

According to Aena, the leading company in managing airport infrastructures by passenger volume, these technologies are expected to arrive in Spain this year and will begin to be used in the second half. The first airports to incorporate these machines will be El Prat in Barcelona and Barajas in Madrid. For the rest of the country, it is estimated that they will arrive in 2025 at Palma de Mallorca Airport and Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, and a year later at the rest of them.

Although it is still a bit far to see these systems in our country, the machinery has begun to be used in other facilities in Europe, such as Frankfurt, Copenhagen, and Turin. Overall, the preliminary results have been very positive, demonstrating a reduction in work time and waiting times.

Historically, the allowed limit for liquids in individual containers for transport in luggage was 100 milliliters, which had to be placed in a separate plastic bag from the rest of the luggage. This measure has been in effect since 2006 due to a terrorist alert at all European airports.

The use of these new scanners will allow this restriction to be lifted. Although Spain has not yet confirmed anything on this matter, it is anticipated that this regulation will depend on the European Union.