Passenger joy as liquid rules eased at Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport completes full roll-out of next generation security scanners.

daa’s three-year, multi-million-euro transition to fully C3 finished ahead of schedule.

From midnight tonight, passengers at Dublin Airport won’t need to take liquids, gels, or electronics out of their hand luggage at security in either terminal anymore.

The old 100ml or less liquid rule is being relaxed too, with departing passengers permitted to carry up to 2 litres in their hand luggage, while liquids and gels no longer need to be packed into clear plastic bags.

The change is thanks to a multi-million-euro upgrade by daa in the scanning technology that’s used to screen departing passengers and their hand luggage before they fly.

Around 30 new cutting-edge “C3” scanners and body scanners have been rolled out in Dublin Airport’s two terminals. The new C3 scanners use technology similar to CT scanners in hospitals, generating 3D images of bags, which make it easier to detect what is inside.

Dublin Airport is one of the first airports in Europe to fully switch over to C3, which provide the best threat detection technology available within the aviation industry.

The conversion to a fully C3 operation at Dublin Airport has been achieved ahead of daa’s own target of October 2025 and ahead of the regulatory deadline of December 31, 2025.

In addition, three scanners have been installed in a new secondary screening area located on the mezzanine level in Terminal 1, which is open to passengers from 4am until mid-afternoon each day. In time, this area will become home to a new dedicated Fast Track facility, with all other T1 passengers going through regular security downstairs.

According to Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport: “This is a very positive and welcome development for passengers and staff. The new C3 scanners are best in class in terms of security detection standards and they significantly enhance the passenger experience, permitting passengers to leave all liquids and laptops inside their cabin bags with the systems working like CT scanners in hospitals to generate 3D images of bags. The rollout of this new technology involved a substantial financial investment by daa and posed a significant operational challenge to the airport.  Nevertheless, security times over the recent peak summer months, when we handled a record 11 million passengers, were both smooth and efficient, with 96% of passengers proceeding through security screening in under 20 minutes. This investment puts Dublin Airport on a par with the best airports in the world when it comes to having the best and most efficient scanning technology available.

“I want to thank the Dublin Airport teams who have worked tirelessly on the roll-out of the equipment over the past two years. This successful installation and deployment further demonstrates daa’s absolute commitment to the delivery of security and safety at our airports, and this has been achieved without interrupting the flow of passengers through our two busy terminals. In Terminal 1, installing the new scanners – which are larger and heavier than those we replaced – has required a considerable amount of reconfiguration works. Passengers have been looking forward to the day when the 100ml rule would be gone for good – and today is that day,” added McLean.

daa CEO Kenny Jacobs added: “A safe and smooth security experience is a cornerstone of any airport’s passenger offering and that’s why we’re working so hard to make it great at Cork and Dublin airports. We’ve already got the best security teams at both airports, and it’s vital that we have the most-advanced tech available and the right operational standards in place.

“Dublin Airport is one of the first airports of its size in Europe to have this technology in place for every passenger. Rolling out almost 30 scanners across two terminals, whilst ensuring no disruption to passengers during the busiest years in the airport’s history, has been no small task and I want to say a big thank-you to the team that has worked so hard over the past three years to make it happen.

“Cork Airport won’t be far behind, with work starting this month on the construction of a new mezzanine floor, which will extend over the existing Arrivals concourse and become home to a larger passenger security area equipped with the latest C3 scanning technology. This marks the first phase of a €200m capital investment by daa in Cork Airport to make it even better for passengers.”

While Dublin Airport is now fully C3 operational, other airports in the UK and Europe are not as advanced. Therefore, passengers booked to return to Dublin are encouraged to check the liquid rules at the airport from which they are flying back from.

Dublin Airport’s rule changes at a glance:

What’s changed?

• Liquids, gels and electronics can stay in your hand luggage when going through security.
• There is no limit on the number of liquids and gels that can be carried in your hand luggage.
• The previous 100ml maximum limit on liquids and gels no longer applies and items of up to 2 litres can be carried.
• Liquids and gels no longer need to be packed inside clear plastic bags.

What’s staying the same?

• Items such as belts, footwear which extends over the ankle, jackets, hoodies and oversized jumpers and cardigans must be removed and placed in the security tray.
• Passengers must continue to remove all items from their pockets, including keys, wallets and phones.

Further advice on the rules around airport security is available here on the Dublin Airport website. Passengers are advised to prepare for security in advance of getting to the airport, and to be ready when it’s their turn to be screened, to prevent unnecessary delays.