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Vienna Airport lets passengers keep liquids and laptops in bags under new CT-scanner regime

Jul 4, 2026
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Vienna Airport lets passengers keep liquids and laptops in bags under new CT-scanner regime
Business travellers passing through Vienna International Airport (VIE) this summer will notice a dramatically faster security experience.

Vienna Airport lets passengers keep liquids and laptops in bags under new CT-scanner regime


For travellers needing to confirm visa requirements alongside these security upgrades, VisaHQ’s Austrian portal offers a quick way to check entry rules, arrange e-visas, and obtain supporting documents for short-notice business trips through Vienna. The platform’s in-house experts track regulatory changes worldwide, so mobility teams can pair the new CT-scanner convenience with seamless border compliance.

From 3 July 2026 the airport completed the installation of 35 computer-tomography (CT) scanners across all central checkpoints. 3-D imagery allows officers to identify solid and liquid explosives without forcing passengers to unpack electronics or place toiletries in 100-ml containers, and the liquid allowance for cabin bags has been raised to two litres. The upgrade is the first full-scale deployment of next-generation scanners in the German-speaking EU and cost roughly €25 million. According to Flughafen Wien AG, the technology will also be built into the Terminal 3 southern extension that is due to open in Q2 2027, ensuring consistency across the hub’s growing capacity. For corporates the change removes a major pain-point: employees on tight connections no longer lose time reorganising bags, while premium cabin travellers still retain fast-track lanes that now move even quicker. The airport nevertheless advises travellers to arrive early during the busy school-holiday period because officers will selectively pull bags containing dense foods, creams or thermos flasks for secondary screening. Multinational mobility managers should update pre-trip briefings: liquids purchased air-side in Vienna may still breach 100-ml limits at transfer airports that have not yet adopted CT scanners. Travellers making same-day returns should therefore carry receipts and keep bottles under the old 100-ml threshold unless the final destination also permits larger volumes.

Austrian Visas & Immigration Team @ VisaHQ

VisaHQ's expert visas and immigration team helps individuals and companies navigate global travel, work, and residency requirements. We handle document preparation, application filings, government agencies coordination, every aspect necessary to ensure fast, compliant, and stress-free approvals.

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