A recent survey by business magazine “Capital” reveals that German airports face challenges in fully capitalizing on recent changes to liquid restrictions at security checkpoints. While the European Union eased regulations in July, allowing passengers to carry larger quantities of liquids in carry-on luggage, the necessary infrastructure to support this change is not yet uniformly in place across the country.
The revised EU rules, previously restricting liquids to 100-milliliter containers within a one-liter plastic bag, now permit the passage of up to two-liter bottles, “provided” they are screened by advanced Computed Tomography (CT) scanners. These scanners, utilizing 3D imaging technology similar to medical CT scans, enable security personnel to differentiate between harmless liquids, such as water or soda and potential threats.
Currently, German airports have deployed approximately 100 CT scanners alongside conventional security equipment. However, not all units have received the critical software updates required for optimal performance under the new regulations. No German airport has completed a full transition to CT scanner technology across all security lanes.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, plans to introduce the technology fully at its new Terminal 3, slated to open in early 2026. Presently, approximately 40 of the 160 security lanes at Terminals 1 and 2 have CT scanners. Munich Airport, another major hub, currently has 20 CT scanners, with a need for 60. Bavaria, the state where Munich is located, is investing €45 million to expedite this upgrade, with the new devices intended to process up to 500 passengers per hour without requiring passengers to remove liquids or electronics from their bags.
Smaller airports are lagging further behind. Berlin operates 24 scanners, Düsseldorf seven, Hamburg six and Cologne/Bonn, Hannover and Nuremberg each have one. Memmingen Airport lacks CT scanners entirely, with plans to install four during a future expansion, the timing of which remains unspecified. Stuttgart Airport did not respond to “Capital”‘s inquiry.
While the regulatory changes offer passenger convenience, German travelers cannot reliably benefit from the relaxed liquid restrictions until a comprehensive upgrade of airport security infrastructure is completed. The phased rollout of CT scanners aims to improve efficiency and ease passenger burdens, but the varying levels of preparedness across German airports currently limit the practical application of the new rules.
