Zurich Airport Ltd: New CT scanners go into operation

Zurich Airport has begun converting its security checkpoint to the new CT technology. The first of four floors will go into operation on Monday, December 8, with seven new devices. They will increase comfort and improve efficiency for passengers and employees in the Security Control Building.

With the conversion to the new CT technology, all 26 control lines in the Security Control Building will be comprehensively upgraded and brought up to the latest standard by summer 2026. In addition to a new line architecture, state-of-the-art equipment will be deployed. The goal is also to simplify the control process for passengers, improve the working environment for employees, and increase the capacity of the security checkpoint.

More Comfort and Efficiency with Consistent Security

At the heart of the new systems are the CT scanners for carry-on baggage. They enable three-dimensional analysis of luggage items. Liquids and electronic devices can remain in the baggage during screening at the new CT scanners, which speeds up the process and significantly increases comfort for passengers. The use of the new technology increases throughput per line while ensuring the quality and reliability of the controls.

The seven new CT scanners are also capable and certified to screen liquid containers with a capacity of up to 2 liters. Therefore, passengers screened at the new devices will no longer have their liquid containers of up to 2 liters confiscated, provided the contents are not classified as a security risk.

100ml Rule Remains in Effect for Now

As long as the conversion is underway and not all 26 control lines on the four floors have been upgraded, the 100ml liquid regulation will continue to apply at Zurich Airport. The reason is that during the conversion phase until next summer, passengers are not entitled to be screened at the new devices. Passengers will be assigned to the appropriate security control lines by airport personnel depending on passenger volume and availability of the new devices.

The plan is to adjust the liquid limit at Zurich Airport by summer 2026 at the latest, once the complete conversion to the new CT technology in the Security Control Building is finished.

New Security Scanners and Remote Screening

In addition to CT technology, new security scanners are also being deployed for the first time. They are used for alarm resolution after the metal detectors and complement the existing metal detectors, enabling more targeted secondary screening. A standardized pictogram shows where on the body an anomaly is located without displaying individual personal characteristics.

Another part of the modernization is remote screening. Security officers from the Zurich Cantonal Police no longer review the X-ray images of carry-on baggage directly at the control lines, but in a separate room. This spatial separation enables concentrated, ergonomic work in a quiet environment and at the same time relieves the control area, which additionally speeds up the process for passengers.

Conversion During Ongoing Operations

The conversion of the security control systems will take place in stages until summer 2026. After the commissioning of the new lines on floor G0, floors G3, G1, and G2 will follow successively. During the work, security control operations will continue at all times; however, there will occasionally be longer waiting times due to the construction work. Zurich Airport Ltd. thanks all passengers for their understanding during the conversion phase. In total, Zurich Airport Ltd. is investing approximately CHF 34 million in the renewal of the security infrastructure. After completion of all construction phases, all passengers will benefit from a faster, more efficient, and more comfortable control process.