Vienna Airport Eases Bag Screening Rules
Vienna Airport will roll out new CT scanners at all central security checkpoints across its terminals on 3 July 2026, changing the way departing passengers prepare their hand luggage. Electronics and liquids will no longer need to be taken out at screening, while the airport is also introducing a larger liquid allowance for cabin bags.
Vienna security changes at a glance
- Airport: Vienna Airport
- Start date: Friday, 3 July 2026
- Who it affects: departing passengers at all terminals
- Main change: laptops, phones and liquids can stay inside hand luggage
- Liquid allowance: up to 2 litres in cabin baggage
- Investment: around €25 million
- New equipment: 35 CT scanners
- Possible checks: some items may still need extra screening
The airport says the new scanners use computer tomography to create detailed 3D images of hand luggage. Security staff can view the contents of a bag in a single display, while algorithms help detect solid and liquid explosives. Vienna Airport says the same CT technology will also be used in the Terminal 3 southern extension, due to open in the second quarter of 2027.
Passengers can now keep laptops, phones and liquids in hand luggage at Vienna Airport, which should make screening easier for business travellers, families and people with tight connections. Some items, including food, creams, honey, jam and thermos flasks, may still need extra checks. Smaller liquid containers are still a safer choice, and passengers should check rules at any transfer or arrival airport.
This is a real convenience upgrade, but it does not remove the need to plan properly. Passengers flying through Vienna can expect a simpler security check, while those connecting elsewhere may face older liquid and electronics rules later in the journey. Keeping hand luggage tidy, checking airport-specific restrictions and allowing extra time remains the safer move.
