Those travelling through Dublin Airport will no longer have to take liquids and laptops out of their bags when passing through security - but when are these changes coming into effect?
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, the Department of Transport said that the annoying rules of separating liquids and electronics at security will be gone by 2024. The size limit of liquids and gels are also set to be ditched, with passengers currently limited to just 100mls in their hand luggage.
This should speed up security queues making travelling a far more pleasant experience. The changes are set to come into effect in all Irish airports thanks to new special scanning machines.
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A spokeswoman for the Department indicated that the rules are already being relaxed at smaller airports across the country, while she added that Dublin Airport will have the new system in place before 2024. The Mirror understands that there is only one of the new scanning machines at each of Shannon, Cork and Donegal airports.
Dublin will be the biggest operation as 30 machines will need to be changed over. The Transport spokeswoman said: “All Irish airports are compliant with European aviation security regulations regarding the screening of cabin baggage.
“Regulations in this area are a European competence and are not made at national level. However, the regulations provide for different arrangements for the carrying of liquid and gels in cabin baggage depending on the screening equipment installed.
“Shannon, Kerry and Donegal Airports currently allow the carrying of liquids and gels above 100 ml and do not require liquids and gels or large electronic equipment to be removed from baggage for screening. By 2024, equipment upgrade programmes at the other Irish airports will mean that the same arrangements will apply.”
A spokesman for the daa said they are working on introducing the changes and are currently carrying out trials, with a view to tendering for the necessary equipment and service handlers.
Kevin Cullinane, daa Group Head of Communications, said: “daa continues to implement the EU-wide aviation security regulation in relation to the 100ml limit for liquids, lotions, gels and pastes at Dublin and Cork airports.
“However, daa is currently trialling new enhanced x-ray technology at Dublin Airport which passengers will notice as they travel through the airport this Christmas.
“As Dublin Airport has over 30 x-ray machines, across two terminals, this will be a complex process.
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