New airport scanners are better at spotting liquid explosives, but many airports lack them


Travelers celebrated the suggestion that American airports might soon ease restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags that create endless hassles at security checkpoints, but more than a third of all airports around the country still haven’t upgraded their screening systems to reliably detect liquid explosives that could bring down a plane.

It may be annoying to have to dump water and other drinks before going through security, but the challenge is to detect the difference between things like harmless hair gel and more sinister substances.

Read more…
Source: MRT News


Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox


Related:

  • TSA ended mandatory shoe removal before audit found explosive detection gaps

    September 20, 2026

    TSA launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck in September 2026, allowing vetted non-flyers to enter secure gate areas at 13 U.S. airports without a boarding pass — the first time non-ticketed access has been permitted at American checkpoints since the post-9/11 security overhaul. The program requires an existing TSA PreCheck credential, a Known Traveler Number, and a free online application submitted one to ...

  • Yemen: Houthis seize key port of Mocha

    September 10, 2026

    Houthi forces in Yemen are making a concerted drive to take over the country’s Red Sea coast fully, claiming control of the key port of Mocha in the most serious wave of fighting with the Saudi-backed government in years, bringing the Iran-aligned group closer to full control of a key shipping route. Seizure of the coast and some ...

  • Germany: Two injured in blast at train station in Augsburg

    September 2, 2026

    An unknown object exploded near ‌a train station in the southern city of Augsburg in the early hours ​of Wednesday, German police said, adding ​that two passers-by aged 17 and 18 sustained ⁠minor injuries. The blast occurred in ​a building passageway, Bavaria state police ​said, adding that the injured individuals were two Ukrainian citizens. Hours later, the ...

  • Oklahoma: TSA officer discovered suspicious item in passenger’s checked bag

    August 28, 2026

    A bomb squad responded to an incident at Oklahoma’s Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) after a TSA officer came across a concerning item in a passenger’s checked bag. She then called for Supervisory TSA Officer Michael Tippie to take a look at the X-ray image, which revealed “a mass inside a pipe-like object.” After TSA OKC ...

  • Germany: Third drone and suspected military explosives found near Leipzig airport

    August 25, 2026

    German investigators uncovered a third drone and suspected military explosives thought to be connected to an attempted attack on Leipzig airport, local media have reported. The drone was discovered in Kabelsketal, just to the west of the airport, along with about 50g (1.8oz) of a suspected military explosive on 14 August, 10 days after the unsuccessful sabotage. ...

  • UK: St Pancras station evacuated as ‘controlled explosion of unattended car’ sparks delays to rail services

    August 19, 2026

    St Pancras station was evacuated earlier today after the controlled explosion of an “unattended car”, sparking delays to rail services. Emergency services scrambled to the the scene on Tuesday before evacuating the busy travel hub. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a “controlled explosion” took place and said that the incident has since been deemed non suspicious. Read more… Source: The Standard Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters The latest ...

  • Germany: Flying object hits plane at Leipzig airport as drone discovered carrying explosive device

    August 5, 2026

    An unidentified flying object hit a a cargo plane at a German airport on Wednesday, as the discovery of a drone carrying an explosive device caused disruption and the suspension of flights. An airport staff member discovered the drone in a secure area of the cargo flight operations near the airport’s south runway, according to a ...

  • More airlines ban humanoid robots from flights over battery safety concerns

    August 4, 2026

    Though human- and animal-like robots might one day make ideal travel companions for some passengers, an increasing number of airlines are banning them from both the cabin and checked baggage over safety concerns. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have both announced a total ban on the devices, joining Southwest Airlines, which introduced a similar policy ...

  • Kenya: KDF neutralise 4 IEDs along key routes in Lamu

    July 20, 2026

    Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops operating under Operation Amani Boni (OAB) have disrupted terrorist plans after detecting and safely destroying four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) hidden along key supply routes in Lamu County. According to their X post on Monday, July 20, 2026, the discoveries were made during routine dominance patrols and route clearance operations aimed at securing ...

  • Colombia: Attack using explosive-laden drones on the Tibú airport injured three workers

    July 10, 2026

    An attack using explosive-laden drones on the Tibú airport in northeastern Colombia left three people injured and caused infrastructure damage. The army attributed the attack to the National Liberation Army (ELN) and deployed tanks to the area. Military forces confirmed the incident, stating that “three workers were injured by the explosion.” Colombian armed groups are increasingly using these ...

  • Indiana: Smoke grenade hidden in peanut butter jar found at Indianapolis Airport checked luggage

    June 26, 2026

    A bizarre discovery at Indianapolis International Airport this week has generated headlines nationwide after Transportation Security Administration officers uncovered two live smoke grenades hidden inside a traveler’s checked luggage, including one concealed inside a jar of peanut butter. According to the TSA, the suspicious bag alarmed during routine screening, prompting additional inspection by security personnel. Officers ...

  • Pakistan: Sialkot airport cargo terminal gets explosive detection system

    June 24, 2026

    Pakistan’s first-ever Explosive Detection System (EDS) was inaugurated at the cargo terminal of Sialkot International Airport on Tuesday. The state-of-the-art system is aimed at strengthening cargo security, enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating exports in line with international standards. The EDS machine was jointly inaugurated by SIAL Chairman Hassan Ali Bhatti and Export Development Fund (EDF) head Omer ...

  • Pakistan: At least seven killed, three injured in twin blasts in Bannu

    June 20, 2026

    At least seven people were martyred and three others injured in two explosions in the Merka Bera area of Bannu, on Saturday, District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi said. The first blast occurred when explosives planted along a roadside detonated, hitting a passenger van travelling from Hathi Khel village to Bannu. Five passengers in the van ...

  • Nigeria: Three EOD officers killed in IED explosion in Zamfara

    June 16, 2026

    Three policemen from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Zamfara Police Command paid the supreme price while on duty on Monday. The gallant officers were killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by bandit terrorists along the Anka-Bagega road in Anka Local Government Area of the state. Read more… Source: Punch News Sign up for the ...

  • Myanmar: Security forces clear 46 IEDs in Magway Region

    June 16, 2026

    On 13 June 2026, based on information provided by responsible local residents that so-called PDF terrorists had dug up the asphalt road and planted mines using empty oil barrels along the road connecting Pakokku and Kamma townships in Magway Region, Security personnel conducted area clearance operations and mine clearance activities along that road. During these operations, ...

  • Nigeria: Police destroy IED on Zamfara road

    June 14, 2026

    The Zamfara state police command says it has discovered and safely destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by bandits along the Kunchin Kalgo axis of Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state. In a statement on Saturday, Yazid Abubakar, the command’s spokesperson, said the explosive device was discovered and safely removed by the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit. “Preliminary findings ...

  • Ohio: TSA officers discover prohibited replicas of explosive devices at airport security checkpoints

    June 10, 2026

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at two Ohio airports discovered prohibited replicas of explosive devices at the security checkpoint during routine screening in one week. A training aid anti-tank mine was discovered at Dayton International Airport on June 3, and a realistic replica pipe bomb was detected at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus ...

  • Israel: Woman killed by car bomb on Ayalon Highway; police arrest estranged husband

    June 4, 2026

    A 35-year-old woman was killed in a car explosion on a highway near Tel Aviv on Thursday morning. Police later arrested her estranged husband on suspicion of involvement. The victim, Lia Malka, is survived by the couple’s 2-year-old daughter. The girl was not in the car when it exploded while stopped in traffic on the central ...

  • California: Sacramento man arrested at airport after TSA found explosives

    June 2, 2026

    A Sacramento man arrested this weekend at Sacramento International Airport after TSA agents detected suspected explosive materials, a timer and a cryptic message in his carry-on luggage now faces federal charges in the incident. Federal prosecutors Tuesday filed charges of unlawfully possessing explosive materials against Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, in ...

  • Pakistan: At least 14 killed, 20 injured in suicide bombing targeting shuttle train in Quetta

    May 24, 2026

    At least 14 people were killed and several others were injured after a blast tore through a shuttle train in Quetta on Sunday morning, the Balochistan government said. State-run APP, citing railway authorities, said the shuttle train was heading from Quetta Cantonment to the railway station when it was targeted near Chaman Phatak shortly after 8am. In a ...

  • New York: Car explodes just steps from Wall Street’s Charging Bull statue

    May 20, 2026

    Dramatic video shows an MTA car exploding in an enormous fireball just steps from Wall Street’s iconic Charging Bull statue, sending screaming New Yorkers sprinting for safety. Footage showed the vehicle initially burning fiercely during the Tuesday evening rush hour just outside the MTA’s headquarters at 2 Broadway, a block from the iconic statue. Police and firefighters ...

  • Hantavirus-hit ship evacuation completed as quarantines begin

    May 11, 2026

    The repatriation effort, coordinated by Spanish authorities with support from WHO, the European Union, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and multiple governments, marked the end of an emergency operation that has gripped global health attention for weeks following an outbreak of Andes hantavirus aboard the vessel. As of Monday, WHO said there had ...