Zurich Airport Removes Liquid Restrictions for Departing Passengers

Passengers departing from Zurich Airport will face fewer restrictions at security from 26 June as the airport completes a major upgrade of its screening facilities. The change applies to travellers starting their journey in Zurich and passing through the Security Control Building. New CT scanners have now been installed across all screening lanes, allowing security staff to inspect baggage using detailed three-dimensional images without requiring passengers to remove many items from their bags.

The change is part of a wider modernization programme that has been underway since late 2025. The new scanners can examine the contents of carry-on bags in much greater detail, making it possible to check luggage without asking passengers to take out electronics or place liquids in separate bags.

The most noticeable difference will be the end of the long-standing requirement to place liquids in a transparent plastic bag before passing through security. Electronic devices can also remain inside hand luggage during screening. Passengers will spend less time unpacking bags at security, which could help keep lines moving more efficiently during peak travel periods.

Key Tips for Passing Through Security

A few restrictions remain in place even after the introduction of the new screening system. Travellers should remember the following points before reaching security:

• Double-walled containers, including thermos bottles, must be completely empty before screening.
• Analogue photographic film should be presented separately for manual inspection to avoid potential damage from CT scanners.
• Recommended airport arrival times remain unchanged despite the faster screening process.
• Travellers making a connection or flying home from another airport should verify local baggage rules, which may differ from those now in place at Zurich.

The development marks a significant shift in how passengers move through Zurich Airport and reflects a broader effort to make air travel more convenient without changing security standards. While departing passengers will benefit immediately from the new process, travellers using transfer screening areas may still encounter the previous liquid restrictions until those locations are upgraded. For many passengers beginning their trip in Zurich, however, packing and preparing for security checks is about to become considerably simpler.