Dublin Airport has confirmed that the long-standing 100-millilitre limit on liquids in cabin baggage is no longer in force for departing travellers, after the full roll-out of next-generation C3 security scanners in both terminals. The scanners generate high-resolution 3-D images that allow security officers to see inside containers without requiring passengers to remove laptops or liquids. Individual containers of up to two litres can now stay in hand luggage, although daa — the airport’s operator — is urging passengers to check the rules at their return airport because many hubs abroad still apply the 100-ml cap. The technology upgrade comes just as daa projects its busiest summer on record, with at least 11 million passengers expected to pass through the airport between June and August — about 100,000 people every day. That is a 2 % increase on last year’s record and reflects a nine-per-cent jump in footfall since the winter slot cap was lifted in January. Demand is being fuelled by strong outbound leisure traffic, a sharp rebound in corporate travel and a wave of new transatlantic and Middle-East services.
To cope with the surge, the airport has added seating, enlarged business lounges, expanded food options and overhauled way-finding signage. Taxi ranks, baby-feeding facilities and special-assistance areas have also been upgraded. Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, said the measures should keep security queue times below 20 minutes even on the busiest peak mornings, though he urged companies to advise travelling staff to arrive “no later than two hours” before short-haul departures.
Travellers adjusting their itineraries to take advantage of the streamlined security process may also need to ensure their paperwork is equally hassle-free. VisaHQ offers fast online visa and passport services for more than 200 destinations and can help Irish passengers confirm entry requirements or obtain the necessary documents well before departure—details are available at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/
![Dublin Airport scraps 100-ml liquid rule and forecasts record 11 million summer passengers]()
For business-travel managers the removal of the liquid limit eliminates one of the biggest pain points on short European trips, particularly for executives who do not check bags. However, firms have been reminded that staff flying back to Dublin from airports that still enforce the 100-ml rule must pack accordingly on the return leg. The new scanners also produce slightly larger trays, making it easier to secure valuables such as laptops and prototype equipment often carried by R&D teams.
Looking further ahead, daa is lobbying for the speedy abolition of the statutory 32-million-passenger cap so that future growth does not stall. Airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair have warned that without rapid progress on planning approvals for extra piers and stands, Ireland could lose out on new long-haul routes and inward investment.
In the meantime, the summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a stress-test of both the new security regime and the airport’s upgraded facilities, with corporate travel specialists predicting a tight squeeze on last-minute seat availability into key business hubs such as London, Frankfurt and New York.
To cope with the surge, the airport has added seating, enlarged business lounges, expanded food options and overhauled way-finding signage. Taxi ranks, baby-feeding facilities and special-assistance areas have also been upgraded. Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, said the measures should keep security queue times below 20 minutes even on the busiest peak mornings, though he urged companies to advise travelling staff to arrive “no later than two hours” before short-haul departures.
Travellers adjusting their itineraries to take advantage of the streamlined security process may also need to ensure their paperwork is equally hassle-free. VisaHQ offers fast online visa and passport services for more than 200 destinations and can help Irish passengers confirm entry requirements or obtain the necessary documents well before departure—details are available at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/
For business-travel managers the removal of the liquid limit eliminates one of the biggest pain points on short European trips, particularly for executives who do not check bags. However, firms have been reminded that staff flying back to Dublin from airports that still enforce the 100-ml rule must pack accordingly on the return leg. The new scanners also produce slightly larger trays, making it easier to secure valuables such as laptops and prototype equipment often carried by R&D teams.
Looking further ahead, daa is lobbying for the speedy abolition of the statutory 32-million-passenger cap so that future growth does not stall. Airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair have warned that without rapid progress on planning approvals for extra piers and stands, Ireland could lose out on new long-haul routes and inward investment.
In the meantime, the summer of 2026 is shaping up to be a stress-test of both the new security regime and the airport’s upgraded facilities, with corporate travel specialists predicting a tight squeeze on last-minute seat availability into key business hubs such as London, Frankfurt and New York.
