Vienna Airport will fully commission new computed tomography (CT) scanners at all central security checkpoints on Friday, July 3, 2026. Once the installation phase is complete, departing passengers will no longer need to remove electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, as well as liquids, from their hand luggage for screening.
At the same time, a revised regulation for liquids will come into effect at this location, allowing the transport of containers with a total volume of up to two liters. According to the airport company, the total investment for the acquisition of the 35 new devices amounts to approximately 25 million euros.
The conversion will take place just before the expected surge in passenger numbers at the start of the summer holidays. The CT scanners used generate detailed images of baggage contents via three-dimensional X-ray imaging, which security personnel can then analyze on monitors. Staff are supported by integrated detection software that automatically identifies liquid and solid explosives. In addition to the existing terminal areas, the equipment is also intended for the planned southern extension of Terminal 3, which is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027. With this comprehensive rollout, Vienna Airport is following other European hubs such as Zurich, Cologne/Bonn, and Munich, which have already implemented this technology partially or fully.
Industry experts and consumer advocates point to operational limitations and potential misunderstandings for air travelers. Because the technological upgrade is progressing unevenly internationally, the traditional 100-milliliter limit remains in place at many foreign destination and transfer airports. Passengers boarding in Vienna with larger quantities of liquids therefore risk having their belongings confiscated on their return flight or when changing planes at non-modernized airports. Furthermore, manual checks are not entirely eliminated: certain items such as double-walled thermos flasks, creams, honey, or airtight food containers can still trigger the scanners' automatic alarm systems and require manual inspection by security personnel.
From an economic perspective, the €25 million investment represents a significant financial burden for the airport operator, the long-term amortization of which must be achieved through efficiency gains in the handling process. Following regulatory debates at the EU level in recent years, during which the approval of certain detection software was subject to temporary restrictions, the widespread implementation is considered an operational test case for the stability of the flight schedule during peak times. Reducing the screening time per passenger can only contribute to relieving pressure on the terminals if upstream processes such as check-in and border control maintain the same throughput. Therefore, despite the new technology, airport management advises passengers to arrive early.