Next-generation scanners capable of detecting and identifying explosives are being installed at several airports around the world
Spain has confirmed that in 2024 it will remove restrictions on carrying liquids in the cabin. Aena, Spain’s national airport company, has announced that by next year’s summer vacation it will introduce next-generation scanners at the country’s main airports, including Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat.
These new machines are CT (computed tomography) scanners, sometimes called “3D scanners”, because they create a visible 3D image of the contents of the handbags with which passengers board the plane. After being digitized, each of the images is analyzed using a sophisticated algorithm capable of automatically identifying weapons, explosives and other prohibited items, including liquid explosives.
Several airports, including Amsterdam, have already introduced CT scanners of this type, which have proven to be so impressive that security officials have decided to relax restrictions on hand luggage considerably, or even to remove them completely. However, some countries that already use CT scanners still impose limits on the amount of liquids passengers can carry in their hand luggage.
The UK government also plans to remove restrictions on liquids almost completely as soon as these machines are installed at major airports across the country. Under new legislation currently before the UK Parliament, passengers will be allowed to carry up to two liters of liquid in their hand luggage.
This technology will also make it possible to avoid having to take your computer out of your bag during checks, and to put an end to the sometimes endless and chronic queues at certain airports.
Rules on the possession of liquids in carry-on carry-on luggage were set in 2006, following British and US intelligence foiled suicide attacks where terrorists planned to smuggle liquid explosives into commercial planes , traveling between Great Britain, the United States and Canada. These liquid explosives were found inside soft drink bottles.
