The European Commission is awaiting the conclusions of the European Civil Aviation Conference before authorising C3 scanners, said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokeswoman for the EU institution, on Thursday 24 July. Their authorisation would make it possible to lift the restriction on individual liquid containers at the airports concerned.
Indeed, some airports in certain EU Member States have deployed these scanners, which give a 3D view of the baggage and thus offer complete detection. However, in the summer of 2024, the Commission introduced a temporary ban on their use. There was a technical problem with these control devices last year, explained the spokeswoman.
However, it is the European Civil Aviation Conference that is responsible for the technical operation, control and safety aspects of these scanners and screening equipment. “It has now completed its technical work, and has yet to give us its precise conclusions”, she explained. “The work is being finalised and we hope that the green light can be given immediately. [...] We’re in the middle of the holiday season and our intention is really to get this up and running as soon as possible”, she added.
In practice, it will be up to the airports and the operators of these screening machines to implement the concrete measures. Ms Itkonen pointed out that it was up to each airport to inform its passengers of this possibility. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)