The European Commission announced new rules for trips from 1 September 2024.
The changes, according to the European Commission, concern the carriage of hand luggage and liquids in the cabin of airplanes and will apply to all European airlines.
What the new rules provide for:
- Allowable weight: each piece of hand luggage should not exceed 10 kg.
- Allowed number: 1 carry-on bag and 1 small personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop bag, which must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Maximum dimensions: Maximum dimensions (including handles and wheels) are set at 55 x 40 x 20cm, while the personal item must be 40 x 30 x 15cm.
New rules for liquids
The EU reintroduces the previous rules on the amount of liquids that passengers can carry in their hand luggage.
Until now, travellers passing through airports equipped with explosive detection systems for cabin baggage (EDSCB) could carry liquids in quantities greater than 100ml.
This exemption is being removed until all airports in Europe have the same explosive detection devices (EDSCB).
In particular, the Commission’s general regulations on cabin baggage provide that:
- Liquids carried in cabin baggage, such as aerosols, drinks, toothpaste, cosmetic creams or gels, must be placed in transparent plastic bags with a maximum capacity of 1 litre, and no individual container may exceed 100 ml. Packages of liquids with a capacity of more than 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage. The quantitative restrictions do not apply to medicines and baby food.
- Liquids purchased from the duty-free counters of any airport or airline may be carried in hand luggage, provided that both they and their receipt are placed in a sealed security bag (with a red border) which the traveller receives at the time of purchase. Until the passenger reaches the final destination, the security bag cannot be opened. However, security officers may need to open the bag or bottles for inspection. If this happens and the passenger has a connecting flight to another airport, the passenger must inform the security officer so that the liquids can be repositioned in a new security bag.
