Brussels Airport to End Burdensome Security Measures by 2028
Brussels Airport has announced a major overhaul of its security screening infrastructure, with next-generation body scanners and CT scanners set to eliminate the need for passengers to remove liquids and electronics from their hand luggage. The investment, part of the airport’s broader “Hub 3.0” programme, aims to streamline the passenger experience while preparing for continued growth in air travel.
A Two-Decade-Old Rule Comes to an End
The 100-millilitre liquid restriction, introduced globally in 2006 following the foiled transatlantic liquid bomb plot, has been one of the most familiar — and most disliked — aspects of air travel for nearly two decades. What was initially described as a temporary measure has persisted for 20 years, requiring passengers to pack toiletries and beverages in containers no larger than 100 ml and to remove laptops and tablets from their bags at security checkpoints.
According to La Libre Belgique, the new CT scanners will allow passengers to leave liquids and electronics inside their hand luggage. Under current European regulations, the new technology will permit liquids in containers up to 2 litres, with no limit on the total quantity carried.
Phased Rollout from 2027 to 2029
The airport will begin construction of a temporary screening platform in 2027, with the first new scanners becoming operational in 2028. A test with a body scanner is already scheduled for June 2026. By summer 2029, all 19 departure screening lanes are expected to be equipped with the new technology, after which scanners for transfer passengers will be introduced.
“The safety of our passengers and staff is always our top priority,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, in the official press release. “With this new technology, we will not only continue to ensure safety, but also make security screening even smoother and easier for our passengers. With the new scanners, we will also increase capacity so that we are prepared for any growth in passenger numbers in the coming years.”
A Response to Growing Pressure
The announcement comes at a critical moment for Brussels Airport. In May 2026, Feist publicly denounced border control delays as “completely unacceptable” and warned of a risk of “absolute chaos” during the summer, as reported by La Libre Belgique. A new European biometric border system (EES) had caused lengthy queues, with some non-EU passengers facing waits of up to three hours.
The airport handled 24.4 million passengers in 2025 and offers connections to 205 destinations via 83 airlines. Passenger numbers continue to grow, with over 2.2 million travellers passing through in April 2026 alone — a 3.8% increase year-on-year. The airport is Belgium’s second most important economic engine, supporting 64,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Aligning with a European Trend
Brussels Airport joins a growing number of European airports that have already adopted CT scanner technology. Berlin’s BER Airport, for example, recently scrapped its security-slot reservation system because most passengers now prefer the faster CT-scanner lanes. The European Union has been encouraging the adoption of this technology to streamline security while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
What This Means for Passengers
For travellers passing through Brussels Airport, the changes will be transformative. The familiar ritual of scrambling to separate liquids into a clear plastic bag and pulling out laptops will become a thing of the past. The new body scanners will also reduce the need for physical pat-downs, further speeding up the process.
However, the benefits will not be immediate. The full rollout will take until summer 2029 — more than three years from now — and the airport has not yet announced the total investment amount for the project. Questions also remain about how the temporary screening platform will be set up during construction and when exactly transfer passengers will benefit from the new technology.
Looking Ahead
While the scanner investment addresses long-term capacity and convenience, it does not resolve the immediate staffing and border control challenges that have plagued the airport in 2026. Political tensions between the Flemish regional government and the federal Minister of the Interior over police staffing levels at the airport remain unresolved. Nevertheless, the announcement signals a clear commitment from Brussels Airport to modernise its operations and improve the passenger experience — even if the full benefits are still a few years away.