EU regulations change to restrict use of C3 scanners

The EU have introduced changes to the Aviation Security Regulation, placing restrictions on C3 scanners. ACI EUROPE have responded to the legislation, which affects airports in the European Union, in addition to Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway (EEA).

The amendments specifically target C3 scanners, a cutting edge technology which upholds the best in-class detection standards, which have until now allowed passengers to carry liquids without restriction. The liquids could then stay in a passenger’s cabin bag along with security checkpoints.

The new restriction introduces as of 1 September 2024 a 100ml limitation for individual containers of liquids, thus erasing the main benefit accruing to passengers from C3 scanners. This will also reduce the passenger throughput of security checkpoints at airports that have deployed C3 scanners. It will result in significant operational strain, the mitigation of which will require the deployment of additional staff and the reconfiguration of security checkpoints, where feasible. 
Finally, the new restriction means that those airports that have already invested in C3 scanners to improve the passenger experience and their operational efficiency are heavily penalised – as little of the benefits associated with the use of this cutting edge technology will materialise. Purchasing C3 scanners² is on average 8 times more expensive than the conventional X-ray screening machines they are replacing, while operating maintenance costs are 4 times higher. 
Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General said: “Security is non-negotiable, it is at the very top of priorities for Europe’s airports. As such all airports will comply in full with the new restriction. However, the fact remains that those airports which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially. They had taken the decision to invest and deploy C3 scanners in good faith, based on the EU having greenlighted this equipment without any restriction attached. The decision to now impose significant restrictions to their use questions the trust and confidence the industry can place in the current EU certification system for aviation security equipment. We need to draw the lessons from this situation and make sure the EU certification system provides the necessary legal certainty and operational stability moving forward.”
Although this restriction is intended to be temporary, ACI EUROPE have expressed regret over the lack of perceived timeline and processes which have been put in place to lift it.  They have therefore called on the European Commission and Member States to urgently develop a roadmap with set milestones to waive the current restrictions and restore the trust in the EU certification system for aviation security equipment. In the meantime, ACI EUROPE, in order to limit operational impacts, have said that it will be essential to ensure that liquids limited to 100ml can remain inside cabin bags when screened by C3 scanners.