Relaxed liquid rules in Munich: What Mallorca travelers will notice

Relaxed liquid rules in Munich: What Mallorca travelers will notice

CT technology partially replaces the tedious rearranging at security

The sunscreen tin, the water bottle, the small shampoo bottle – anyone who has ever searched for the clear bags at the airport knows the ritual. In Munich this ritual will become noticeably easier from Friday, September 18: where modern computed tomography (CT) scanners are used, passengers may leave liquids in containers of up to two liters in their carry-on. The previously widespread 100-milliliter limit will no longer apply at lanes equipped with CT technology. For practical packing and security tips, see Arrive relaxed at the airport: How to start your Mallorca holiday calmly.

The background is a large-scale modernization of the security facilities in Bavaria: the responsible ministry has invested in the expansion of CT technology to gradually change security checks. According to authorities, around 45 million euros are being spent on the conversion so that more and more checkpoint lanes can use the new devices. The switch has already been completed in Nuremberg, and cities such as Frankfurt and Berlin are also rolling out CT at individual lanes.

What this means in concrete terms: at CT lanes, small bottles, gels or creams no longer have to be packed into a special transparent bag; laptops also do not necessarily have to be taken out of luggage. The advantage is twofold: travelers save time when packing and at the security checkpoint, and the control processes can be completed more quickly — provided the relevant gate is equipped with CT scanners.

For many who regularly travel between Mallorca and Germany, this is a welcome relief. On the Plaça de Cort in Palma, where street sweepers lean their brooms and the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the morning air, you can already hear comments at kiosk conversations such as: "If this works like that, departures will be more relaxed." The scene is typical: a couple from Germany quickly slips a large water bottle into their backpack because the holiday day will be long — and they hope it won't be removed at the security checkpoint.

Important for Mallorca departures: Palma de Mallorca Airport continues to operate under the classic rules for now. The 100-milliliter limit still applies there; tubes and bottles must be packed in transparent zipper bags. There is still a relief: since November 2024 liquids no longer have to be taken out of carry-on at the security checkpoint at Palma airport, which significantly reduces packing and unpacking.

Our practical tip: check before you travel which technology is used at your departure terminal and review your airline's hand luggage rules with the latest updates from carriers such as Ryanair in mind: Small Extra, Big Questions: Ryanair's New Carry-On Rule and What It Means for Mallorca. Airport websites and signage at the terminals often indicate whether CT scanners are in operation and at which gates they are located. Travelers carrying a lot of cosmetics or larger water bottles can therefore aim for a CT lane — or arrange differently, for example by buying water after the security check.

It is easy to imagine that more airports in Mallorca and elsewhere will follow suit if the new technology proves efficient and maintains security standards. Until then, it remains a matter of route planning: departures from Munich, Nuremberg or at CT-equipped lanes in Frankfurt and Berlin give more packing freedom; departures from Palma still require careful packing into the familiar bags.

In the streets of Palma you can often hear the rumble of buses from the airport in the evening, mopeds cross the roads, and at the café on Passeig Mallorca people are still debating whether to leave the large body lotion in the suitcase or pack it in the carry-on. These small decisions will become a little less cumbersome with more modern technology — and that is news commuters and holidaymakers can both appreciate.

Short and practical: 1) In Munich (from September 18) at CT lanes: liquids up to 2 liters allowed, laptops usually can remain in the suitcase. 2) Nuremberg already switched; Frankfurt and Berlin have partial CT use. 3) Palma airport: 100-milliliter rule remains, but since Nov. 2024 liquids do not have to be removed separately. 4) Check the departure airport website beforehand and allow extra time at check-in if unsure.