Airlines Preparing to Loosen Liquid Restrictions at Romanian Airports
As of August 2025, airports across Romania are grappling with restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) in hand luggage due to incomplete deployment and certification issues with advanced security screening equipment.
The Transilvania Airport in Targu Mures, for instance, installed new security screening equipment in 2024, but its use was suspended starting September 1, 2024, due to technical issues requiring re-certification by the manufacturer. Until re-certification, passengers must continue removing liquids and large electronics at security.
Similar restrictions persist at Traian Vuia International Airport in Timisoara, where old screening equipment is still in use, and no lifting of liquid restrictions is expected until updates or replacements are completed.
Oradea Airport, on the other hand, is expected to purchase new-generation scanning equipment in about two years, depending on budget allocations. Currently, the airport operates older scanners.
Larger airports like Bucharest's Henri Coanda and Baneasa airports have signed contracts to receive new security control equipment capable of lifting LAGs restrictions, but installation and commissioning are expected to be completed only by the first quarter of 2026. Cluj "Avram Iancu" International Airport currently possesses the appropriate scanners but awaits software updates from the manufacturer to enable full operations without restrictions on liquids and electronics.
In comparison with some other European airports, Romanian airports are lagging behind in updating and certifying equipment. For example, Rome Fiumicino Airport adopted next-generation EDS C3 scanners allowing liquids up to 2 liters without removal starting July 26, 2025.
The EU has approved new scanner technologies that enable these eased restrictions, but complex and costly infrastructure and software upgrades mean full implementation across Romania will take more time.
Here is a summary of the current situation in Romanian airports:
| Airport | Status of Screening Equipment | Impact on LAGs Restrictions | Expected Timeline | |---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | Transilvania Airport, Targu Mures| New equipment installed but suspended (re-certification needed) | LAGs must still be removed | Pending manufacturer re-certification | | Traian Vuia International, Timisoara | Old equipment; no upgraded scanners in use | LAGs restrictions maintained | Undetermined | | Oradea Airport | Current equipment outdated; new purchase in ~2 years| LAGs restrictions maintained | ~2027 | | Bucharest Henri Coanda and Baneasa | Contract signed for new equipment | Pending installation and commissioning | Q1 2026 | | Cluj Avram Iancu Airport | Equipment installed; pending software updates | LAGs restrictions remain until software upgrade | No exact timeline available |
Until these updates and certifications occur, passengers at Romanian airports must continue to observe current liquid restrictions, such as the maximum 100ml containers and removal of liquids and large electronics during screening. The roll-out aligns with broader EU efforts but is delayed in Romania due to technical, logistical, and certification challenges.
Travelers flying out of Transilvania Airport in Targu Mures, as of now, are still required to remove liquids during security screenings because the newly installed equipment is suspended due to re-certification requirements by the manufacturer. Similarly, travelers at Traian Vuia International Airport in Timisoara should continue abiding by the liquid restrictions as the airport is currently using old screening equipment with no upgraded scanners in sight. Lifestyle changes for air travelers in Romania might involve careful packing of liquids and large electronics to adhere to the current regulations until modern security screening equipment gets installed and certified at various airports across the country.
