"Security control removes hundreds of items every day that are prohibited to be carried as hand baggage on the flight. The most common products to be removed are liquid-filled containers of more than 100 ml, such as sunscreens, hair gels and smoothies. Also, lighters, matches, scissors and other sharp objects are also removed every day," says Hanna Hämäläinen, Finavia’s Head of Passenger Services at Helsinki Airport.
One hundred millilitre liquid rule in the EU
Bottles and cosmetics and hygiene products, such as creams, gels, detergents and toothpaste, exceeding the permitted packing size of 100 millilitres are the most frequently removed items from hand luggage. Foods can also be classified as liquids if they are spreadable.
"Often the product is forgotten in the bag. It can also be challenging for a passenger to interpret a substance, such as a canned food, as a liquid. "A good rule of thumb is that if you can spread it, it’s liquid", says Hämäläinen.
Due to the EU regulation, the permitted amount of liquids was also changed to 100 millilitres at Helsinki Airport in September 2024.
Checked baggage is also subject to security control
Checked baggage is screened in the airport’s baggage sorting area, to which passengers have no access. Flammable objects and substances are prohibited in checked baggage.
"Batteries and power banks are most commonly removed items from checked baggage, which must always be carried in hand baggage for fire safety reasons. Fire starters may not be transported in the checked baggage at all, as it poses a fire hazard," Hämäläinen says.
Ski holidaymakers should be aware that most ski wax products are flammable and are therefore prohibited in the checked and hand luggage. If the product has the text “flammable”, it cannot be taken on board.
On Finavia’s website, passengers can use a search engine to check the packing rules for various items and substances.
"Our search engine is available to all our passengers on our website, and we believe that our easy-to-use digital service will be a pleasure to use when packing bags as ski holidays approach. I wish everyone a safe and smooth flight," Hämäläinen says.
List: Most removed items at security control
– Liquid packages of more than 100 ml: transportation in hand baggage is prohibited. Transport in checked baggage.
– Matches and lighters: you may carry one hand lighter in your pocket. Do not pack into hand luggage or checked baggage.
– Tools and sharp objects: Sharp and pointed objects longer than 6 cm are prohibited in hand luggage. Transport in checked baggage.
– Lithium backup batteries and power banks: transportation of products in checked baggage is prohibited. Always carry in your hand baggage.
– Ski wax removers and fluoride-containing ski wax: transporting flammable wax on a plane is prohibited.
