Zurich Airport is introducing a significant relaxation of hand baggage regulations for departing passengers. From Friday, June 26, 2026, the previous restriction on liquids to containers of a maximum of 100 milliliters will be lifted at the security checkpoints in the central security control building (SKG).
Passengers departing from local airports are now permitted to carry liquid containers with a single capacity of up to two liters in their hand luggage. Furthermore, the cumbersome process of packing these containers in a separate, transparent plastic bag and the separate presentation of electronic devices such as laptops or tablets are no longer required.
The technical basis for these modified processing procedures is the widespread implementation of modern computed tomography (CT) scanners. These sophisticated screening devices generate three-dimensional X-ray images of the luggage as it passes through the scanner. These images can be rotated in all directions and precisely analyzed on screen by the software and security personnel. The technology is capable of reliably identifying potentially dangerous liquids and solid explosives, even inside bags or electronic devices, thus speeding up the screening process and simultaneously increasing the level of security.
The new regulations apply specifically to passengers whose journey begins directly in Zurich and who pass through the main security checkpoint there. The Swiss air hub has invested significant financial resources in recent months to upgrade its security lanes in order to reduce waiting times for passengers during peak hours and increase passenger comfort. With this measure, Zurich is following the example of other major international airports such as London City, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, and Milan Linate, which have also gradually introduced this technology to optimize handling capacity.
Despite the relaxed regulations at departure airports, travelers should still exercise caution when planning their flights. Airport operators point out that the two-liter rule is initially only guaranteed for departures from Zurich. For return flights from foreign airports or connecting flights to destinations not yet fully equipped with modern CT scanners, the standard international restrictions of a maximum of 100 milliliters per container still apply. Passengers should therefore carefully check the security regulations at their respective destination airports in advance to avoid losing belongings on their return journey.