DUBLIN, Ireland — Packing for flights out of Dublin just got a lot simpler. Dublin Airport in the Irish capital has switched on next-generation C3 scanners at every security lane in both terminals, sweeping away the longtime 100 ml liquid restriction and the ritual of pulling laptops from bags.
Dublin Airport’s new rules at a glance
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, departing passengers may leave liquids, gels, aerosols and electronics inside their cabin baggage. The airport’s operator, daa, now permits individual liquid containers of up to 2 liters, and there is no numerical limit on how many such items travelers can bring. Clear quart-size bags are no longer required, though security officers still expect belts, high-top shoes, bulky coats and pocket contents to be placed in trays.
Why the 100 ml cap is history
The upgrade centers on roughly 30 C3 scanners—equipment that applies computer-tomography technology similar to hospital CT machines. Instead of the flat two-dimensional images produced by older X-ray units, the C3 devices generate 3-D renders that can be rotated on screen, enabling staff to spot potential threats without asking flyers to unpack. Three additional scanners are positioned in a new secondary screening zone on the mezzanine level of Terminal 1. That area opens daily at 4 a.m. and runs until mid-afternoon; it doubles as a trial space for a future dedicated Fast-Track facility.
What travelers need to do differently
- Pack liquids however you like—no clear bags, no tiny travel bottles required.
- Keep laptops, tablets, cameras and power banks in your carry-on.
- Arrive with the same documents as before; ID checks have not changed.
- Remove belts, ankle-high shoes, jackets and pocket items when you reach the trays.
Those outbound from Dublin should remember that rules vary elsewhere. Most airports in the United Kingdom and on the Continent remain in transition; some have installed partial fleets of scanners, while others still enforce the 100 ml cutoff. If you will be returning to Dublin, confirm the policy at your departure point and pack accordingly—what is permissible leaving Ireland may be confiscated on the way home.
Timelines and investment
Dublin is among the first major European hubs to roll out C3 technology across every lane. The airport met its own internal target nearly two years ahead of October 2025 and beat the European regulatory deadline of Dec. 31, 2025. The multi-million-dollar project required extensive construction in Terminal 1, where heavier machines forced floors and joists to be reinforced. daa said the change is already improving passenger flow. Over the recent peak summer travel period, when a record 11 million people passed through the airport, 96 percent of passengers cleared security in under 20 minutes, according to the operator’s metrics.
What the officials are saying
“This is a very positive and welcome development for passengers,” managing director Gary McLean said in a prepared statement. He credited the scanners’ 3-D imaging for both stronger detection standards and faster lanes. Chief Executive Kenny Jacobs described the installation of “almost 30 scanners across two terminals” without disrupting traffic as “no small task,” adding in the same statement that Cork Airport will follow suit. Crews there break ground this month on a mezzanine expansion that forms part of a €200 million investment package.
How C3 scanners work
- Computer-tomography technology fires rapid-fire X-rays, capturing hundreds of images per second.
- Algorithms assemble the data into a 3-D model, highlighting objects that match the density profile of explosives or prohibited items.
- Operators can virtually rotate, slice and zoom the image, eliminating the need to see the physical item outside the bag.
- If a bag still requires a closer look, staff can call it for manual inspection without the passenger reclaiming multiple trays.
For travelers, the biggest practical benefit is speed. Because bags no longer need to be unpacked, each traveler typically occupies the loading bench for less time, smoothing bottlenecks during peak departures between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Tips for travelers
- Arrive early anyway. While lanes are faster, holiday crowds and weather still pose delays.
- Pack logically. Replace the plastic liquids bag with a small pouch to keep shampoos and creams corralled in case a screener still needs to inspect them.
- Mind return-trip rules. If your last segment feeds into a U.S. pre-clearance facility or a non-C3 European airport, revert to the 100 ml discipline.
- Have photo ID ready before the boarding-pass scan; the quicker you enter the lane, the faster you exit.
- Sign up for Fast-Track or Trusted-Traveler programs if you travel frequently; the new mezzanine zone in Terminal 1 will eventually dedicate lanes to such services.
Frequently asked questions
Does this apply to duty-free liquids? Yes, you may carry duty-free purchases up to 2 liters through security on departure. However, duty-free limits by customs authorities at your destination still apply.
Can I bring a full kettle of water or sports bottle? A container of up to 2 liters is permitted, but security officers may ask you to drink or discard it if they cannot identify the contents.
Will laptops ever need to come out again? Only if the scanner flags an anomaly requiring secondary inspection.
What about medical liquids over 2 liters? Normal allowances for essential medication and baby formula remain in place and are not counted in the 2-liter personal items total.
Is Cork Airport already on the new system? Not yet. Construction begins this month, with completion dates to be announced.
Bottom line for U.S.-bound travelers
Because Dublin hosts U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance, passengers clear American immigration before boarding. The presence of C3 scanners should shorten the security portion, yet pre-clearance and airline document checks still require time. Airlines recommend arriving at least three hours before trans-Atlantic flights, even with the new technology. Most flyers will notice the difference immediately: less rummaging in bags, fewer spills from hastily repacked toiletries, and shorter waits while the person ahead shuffles multiple trays. Just remember that your onward or return airport may still enforce legacy rules—keep a few 100 ml bottles in reserve if you are not finishing your trip in Dublin. The 100 ml limit survived nearly two decades as a fixture of global travel. At Dublin Airport, that chapter has closed, replaced by a scanning system designed to let passengers keep their bags closed and the lines moving. If the early performance numbers hold, the Irish capital’s gateway could provide a template for other European hubs racing to meet the December 2025 mandate. Until then, enjoy the newfound packing freedom—and double-check the rules wherever else your journey takes you.
