Barcelona Airport rolls out new scanners to ease security checks

Passengers flying through Barcelona-El Prat Airport will soon find the security experience a little less stressful.

From this week, the airport has started introducing new CT scanners that will allow travellers to keep their liquids and electronics inside their hand luggage during security checks.

The technology is part of a major €3.2 billion modernisation plan designed to prepare Barcelona’s busy hub for the future. While travellers will still have to follow the familiar 100ml container rule for liquids, the days of hurriedly unpacking laptops and bottles at security are beginning to fade.

Faster, smoother security experience

The new scanners work with 3D imaging technology, giving security staff a clearer and more detailed view of what’s inside a passenger’s bag. That means fewer trays, less unpacking, and quicker queues.

For now, only a small number of machines are active, but by early 2027 all 52 scanners will be fully operational at Barcelona Airport. The investment of €39 million is expected to transform the flow of passengers through security, especially during the summer months when the airport is at its busiest.

Eva Valenzuela, the airport’s director, confirmed to CatalanNews on Monday that the new system is already in place at selected checkpoints. She described the rollout as a ‘step forward’ for both passengers and staff, reducing stress and saving time while keeping safety at the heart of operations.

Big changes coming to Terminal 1

The upgrade isn’t stopping at security. Terminal 1 – the airport’s flagship terminal – is set for a huge expansion that will increase its size by more than 70,000 square metres.

Plans include pushing the glass façade 38 metres forward, reclaiming the space currently occupied by the traffic lanes outside the terminal. Once complete, T1 will offer 15.5 per cent more space, easing congestion for both departing and arriving passengers.

The design will mirror the current glass façade, while the old control tower, unused since 2005, will finally be dismantled.

Construction on the new-look terminal is expected to begin in 2028, with completion scheduled for 2031. The €700 million project will form a central part of the airport authority Aena’s wider plan, which also includes the extension of the third runway – a move that has already sparked controversy due to its impact on the protected La Ricarda wetlands in the Llobregat delta.

What passengers need to know

Despite the scale of the works, airport officials have been quick to reassure travellers. The renovations aren’t expected to cause major disruption, though some minor re-routing inside the terminal could be necessary. Importantly, Valenzuela confirmed that passengers will not need to arrive earlier for their flights during the construction phase.

In the meantime, passengers should still follow the existing rules: liquids must remain in containers of 100ml or less, placed inside a transparent bag, and the total volume must not exceed one litre per person. The difference now is that travellers using the new scanners won’t have to remove those bags – or their laptops – from their cabin luggage.

New digital screens will also be installed above the security areas to provide real-time flight updates and help keep queues moving more efficiently.

Looking ahead

Barcelona-El Prat handled over 50 million passengers in 2023, making it one of Europe’s busiest airports. With tourism numbers rising again and the city preparing to host more major international events, airport bosses are keen to ensure the hub keeps up with demand.

The introduction of these new CT scanners puts Barcelona in line with other major European airports, including London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol, which have also begun introducing the same technology.

For travellers, it means less hassle, quicker checks, and a smoother start to their journey. For the airport, it marks the beginning of a decade-long transformation that will redefine the passenger experience in Barcelona.

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