From September 2025, air regulations will implement the new security rules that have been approved. The European Union has agreed to tighten security measures in order to unify them throughout the territory.
These changes at airports will limit the access of objects, such as perfumes, gels, medicines or baby food, which, with some exceptions, are considered prohibited items. From September, cabin luggage may not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters, including handles and wheels, and the weight may not exceed 10 kilograms.
One item per person may be carried as carry-on baggage, provided it does not exceed 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters. Failure to comply with these rules may result in flight restrictions. The private regulations of each airline must be taken into account, as they may vary. Respecting this type of measures can save us from fines of between 100€ and 1000€.
Agreement of the European Commission
The European Commission is one of the highest institutions of the European Union, which holds executive power and legislative initiative. It is in charge of drafting and proposing laws, directing the community administration and taking executive decisions. Since 1958, it has been in charge of unifying legislation in the territory and taking joint decisions with all the countries that compose it. In the case in point, the European Commission has decided to reform the rules regarding the security of flights entering and leaving the EU, with the aim of tightening them and unifying the regulations in all countries.
Flight restrictions
As of September 1, 2024, a series of reforms were implemented in the rules for taking an airplane, especially with regard to carry-on baggage. Advances in technology have also reached airports, where advanced machinery with 3-D scanners has been installed to tighten security measures at checkpoints, allowing even greater control of hand luggage. However, there are plans to improve these technologies even further, which is why the decision was taken to strengthen the control mechanisms at airports.
On the one hand, liquid products carried in hand luggage will be affected. According to the European Union’s Aviation Security Regulations, containers containing liquids may not exceed 100 milliliters. They will have to be in a transparent plastic bag, resealable and with a maximum capacity of 1L. Our perfumes, gels, creams, foams, beverages and liquid foods will be affected. Of course, exceptions will be made when it comes to medicines or liquid baby food.
Size restrictions
Another aspect that has been affected is the usual size and weight of our hand luggage. Since a year ago, the size of our suitcases could not exceed a maximum of 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters, without forgetting the handles and wheels. In addition, it may not exceed 10 kilograms in weight. Now we can take one more personal item with us without suffering cost overruns, such as a laptop, a handbag or a small backpack. But what is small or large for the European Union?
Well, 40 x 30 x 15 centimeters, which does not pose an obstacle to put it in the front passenger seat.It is important to be aware of these rules, but it should not be forgotten that each company has its own regulations, which can be even more restrictive, so it is recommended to take them into account when traveling with each company.
Penalties for non-compliance
There are several consequences for non-compliance with these regulations. On the one hand, the restricted objects will be confiscated without the possibility of recovering them.
In addition, fines of between €100 and €1000 may be imposed as stipulated in the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users in Spain. But above all, if security personnel consider that the passenger poses a threat to security, they may ban the passenger from the flight.
