3 Spanish airports without liquid controls next summer
19 February, 2025Aena has started to install the first advanced security scanners in Spain that will allow air passengers to carry liquids and electronic devices in their luggage without having to remove them. This change, which will come into effect in the summer of 2025, will affect the airports of Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat and Palma de Mallorca.
The measure aims to speed up controls, reduce waiting times and improve the traveller experience. The new devices use computed tomography (CT), a system that provides high-resolution images of the contents of luggage. This technology allows objects to be analysed with greater precision and threats to be detected without the need to apply restrictions.
The three airports chosen for this first phase are the busiest in Spain. In 2023, Madrid-Barajas received more than 60 million passengers, while Barcelona-El Prat and Palma de Mallorca exceeded 41 and 31 million, respectively. The introduction of these scanners seeks to optimise the flow of travellers and reduce waiting times at security checkpoints.