Summer of changes for the Italian airport world. Only a few days ago, ENAC announced the abolition of the obligation to produce documents for certain types of travel, today comes another big news: the ban on the transport of liquids exceeding 100ml in hand luggage. No more plastic bags, no more improbable little bottles.
This change is due to the gradual spread of state-of-the-art technology, which can distinguish, for example, the water contained in a bottle from other substances. The green light for the new standard could arrive as early as the end of the month at airports equipped with the so-called smart security. This was a long-awaited approval, considering that these powerful systems had already been in place in Italy's largest hubs for a few years, but after the huge expense of equipping themselves with them came the mockery of the Brussels brake: the US had questioned the reliability of the measurements.
Today, thanks to the algorithm update of Hi-Scan 6040 CTiX systems (by Smiths Detection) and a new certification by ECAC, it is back to the possibility of putting bottles of wine, beer, oil, perfume and gel over 100 ml directly into the trolley.
How it will work (and where)
- 3D scanner and updated software: CTiX scanners with ECAC-certified algorithm will allow in-depth checks without having to take anything away, not even laptops or liquids.
- Airports involvedIn Italy, the turnaround already affects Malpensa, Linate, Fiumicino, Bergamo, Bologna, Turin and Catania.
- Times: the green light could come between tomorrow (25 July 2025) and the beginning of August, after the ECAC meeting.
What really changes
- Goodbye mini-flaconsNo more 100 ml shampoo, you can take your favourite cream in a large bottle.
- Even spirits and oilswine, oil, perfumes will no longer be restricted, as long as they depart from a port of call with a 3D scanner.
- Faster controls and less stressNo more queues or hurried bag reconfigurations at security gates.
But beware
- Only at “smart” airports”Those departing from a port of call without a CT scanner remain subject to the standard 100 ml limit.
- High costsThese machines cost about eight times as much as the old ones, with equally costly maintenance. It is not certain that smaller airports will be able to equip themselves with them in the short term; we may have to get used to a patchy scenario.
- Risk of passenger confusionAccording to Codacons, in fact, the territorial discontinuity in the initiative could generate inconveniences, for instance in the case of intermediate stopovers.
For frequent travellers and Erasmus students, this revolution means saving time and plastic, the freedom to travel with less stress and more comfort. The advice remains: always check before packing which airport you are departing from or transiting through.
In summary, the ENAC, in line with Europe, could lift the ban on liquids as early as tomorrow, applying innovation where you can. It is a first step towards smarter, faster and more humane controls. A breakthrough that will hopefully soon become a new widespread standard.
