Zurich Airport Flags 180K Dangerous Items in 2024

Zurich Airport is seeing a sharp rise in dangerous goods removed from baggage, with over 180,000 items confiscated in 2024 to keep passengers and flights safe.

Security teams removed 140,000 dangerous goods from checked baggage and 40,000 from carry-on bags, a trend driven by the growing use of battery-powered devices and the influx of leisure travellers unfamiliar with air travel rules.

What’s Most Commonly Confiscated?

In carry-on baggage, the most frequently removed items include:

• Lighters and matches (only one per person permitted)

• Fireworks and fuel pastes

• Solid lighting fuel and gas cartridges

In checked baggage, prohibited items include:

• Loose disposable and rechargeable batteries

• Power banks and e-cigarettes

• Electronic devices and mobility aids like e-scooters and e-strollers

These goods are banned due to risks like overheating, flammability, damage, or chemical reactions during flights.

Dangerous vs. Prohibited Items

Dangerous goods differ from prohibited items like scissors or tools, which can generally be transported in checked luggage. Dangerous goods, due to their inherent chemical or physical hazards, are strictly regulated under ICAO Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

What Happens to Confiscated Items?

Low-value dangerous goods are disposed of, while valuable items like high-end power banks or mobility aids are stored for up to 30 days for a retrieval fee before disposal.

How to Avoid Issues at Security

Passengers can speed up screening and avoid losing belongings by:

• Checking airline and airport websites for updated rules.

• Separating batteries, electronics, and e-cigarettes into carry-on bags.

• Avoiding completely banned substances like fireworks, gas canisters, fuel pastes, and flammable liquids.

For more information and a searchable list of restricted items, travellers can visit Zurich Airport’s Security Check guide.