Security controlOEGS-Info

Before you reach your gate area, you will need to go through security control, in which passengers and hand luggage are checked for prohibited items.

GENERAL PROCEDURE

  • Please observe the security regulations for hand luggage and the list of prohibited items.
  • All air passengers must remove their outer garments and all items carried, particularly metallic items, before passing through the metal detector gates.
  • If necessary, you must remove your shoes and undergo an X-ray check if the alarm sounds.
  • If this is the case, a check for explosives on the palms of the hands, belts and shoes may be carried out in addition by means of special paper strips.

Necessary additional PASSENGER information AT THE SECURITY CONTROL

  • Please inform the security control staff if you are wearing a cardiac pacemaker. In such case, you will not need to pass through the metal detector gates but will undergo a manual check.
  • Passengers with implants, such as artificial hips or knees, will also need to undergo a manual check after passing through the metal detector gates.

RANDOM CONTROL

When passing through the metal detector gates, the alarm may trigger - even if you are not carrying any metallic items - in which case you will need to undergo a manual check.

X-ray control

Your hand luggage and all items carried will be put through an X-ray control. Electronic devices, such as laptops and tablets, must be removed from your hand luggage before the control and will be screened separately.

In the event of any doubt, items of hand luggage such as electronic devices will also be examined for explosive materials both internally and externally by paper strips. If necessary, your electronic devices may be checked manually for traces of tampering.

SECURITY CONTROLS

ANIMALS

In accordance with EU regulations, pets travelling with you must also undergo an animal scan before flying. Please enquire about the exact procedure in good time before starting your journey.

SCHENGEN AREA

If you are travelling to a country that is a party to the Schengen Agreement, you can pass through the central security control points for gates B31-B42, C31-C75 or gates F01-F37.

HAND LUGGAGE

Please note the permissible maximum size of hand luggage. There are no international standards for hand luggage. The weight and size vary depending on the airline, class and route. For Austrian Airlines the maximum size is 55cm x 40cm x 23cm.

Check in good time what you can take on board with you. You should also note the security regulations for hand luggage and the list of prohibited items. You can find an example list on the list of prohibited items. Similar items which could also cause injury are prohibited from hand luggage.

AMENDED REGULATIONS ON LIQUIDS

From January 2014 all liquids purchased at airports or from airline companies in duty-free shops around the world may be carried in hand luggage (even if they are over 100 ml). Existing regulations still apply in their unamended version for liquids that have not been purchased in duty-free shops. Further information on carrying liquids in hand luggage can be obtained here.

Which liquids may be carried in hand luggage without technical control?

Max. 100ml container (or smaller), filled with non-hazardous liquids, kept in a max. 1l  transparent, resealable plastic bag.
Medical products, up to a container size of max. 100ml provided they are required by the respective person on the trip. Baby food up to a container size of max. 100ml, dietary foods up to a container size of max. 100ml provided they are required by the respective person on the trip.
Purchases from the airport shopping area of Vienna Airport, which is located after the boarding pass access control, provided:
  • these have been packaged in a STEB - Security Tamper Evident Bag,
  • the original receipt is included,
  • the bag is intact, unopened and has not been tampered with.

Please note that these purchases can be subject to random technical inspection.

Which liquids MUST NOT Be carried in hand luggage?

In general, all liquids not listed above.

Liquids which are non-hazardous and exceed the container size of 100ml and non-airport shopping items as described above may only be transported in checked-in baggage.
In order to ensure the greatest possible security of all passengers and to avoid any misunderstandings in the aircraft cabin during the flight, the European Union adopted a regulation in 2010, which clearly indicates which items must not be carried into the security area, i.e. the area of an airport that requires particular protection.

However, since all of these items are your property, you may of course decide for yourself what action to take after being turned away at the security control. VIAS offers different solutions as services.

You may safely deposit your items with us until you return, or have the items sent to your desired address, provided the items fit in envelope size A4. Should you still wish to take your items with you, we will be happy to assist you at the subsequent check-in with your airline.

Besides EU law, national laws must also be observed.

Thus, in accordance with Austrian Aviation Safety Act
  • weapons of any type
  • ammunition of any type
  • war material of any type
  • firearms and explosives of any type
are prohibited. If such items are found in your hand luggage, the police must be immediately notified.

Item

allowed/prohibited

Baby food, bottle

allowed in hand luggage including baby food and liquids (sufficient for the duration of your journey)

Baby power, face powder

allowed in hand luggage

Batteries

normal batteries (lithium ion as in mobile phones, digital cameras) are allowed; please contact the airline for special needs (e.g. wet-cell batteries)

Cameras, tripod

allowed in hand luggage, no restrictions on normal batteries

Cane, crutches, walking sticks

allowed in hand luggage

Contact lens fluid

allowed in hand luggage, see liquid medication

Disposable razors

allowed in hand luggage

Electronic appliances

allowed in hand luggage, laptop and tablets need to be removed from carry-on baggage before screening

Empty bottles, other empty containers such as jars

allowed in hand luggage

Hairdryer

allowed in hand luggage

Implants

no restrictions; medical certificate not necessary as manual check is carried out; it is advisable to carry your ID card if available

Lip gloss

allowed in hand luggage, max. 1 litre in a plastic bag

Lipstick

allowed in hand luggage

Liquid medication such as ointments, creams

amount sufficient for the flight allowed in hand luggage; does not need to be transported in a plastic bag; medical certificate or prescription not required; recommendation: transport in original package

Marmalade, jam

not allowed in hand luggage if over 100 ml

Matches

allowed in hand luggage except for non-safety matches (forbidden in hand or checked luggage)

Pacemaker

no restrictions; please notify security personnel so that the metal detector can be switched off, pacemaker ID card not necessary as manual check is carried out

Razorblades

not allowed in hand luggage

Sachertorte

allowed in hand luggage

Sausage meat

firm sausage meat (e.g. salami) allowed, sausage spread: max. 100 ml in 1 litre plastic bag

Solid food such as bread, cereal

allowed in hand luggage

Solid medication such as tablets

no restrictions

Syringes, insulin, thrombosis medication

allowed in hand luggage, see liquid medication

Umbrella (rigid or collapsible)

allowed in hand luggage


The airport has direct service counters to help deal with complaints regarding security controls and provide individual assistance by airport personnel to resolve security issues. These direct services counters can be found at the security control area in Check-in 3, the D gates in the East Pier, and the B gates in the West Pier. Suggestions and complaints can be submitted to the Ombudsman for Security and Security control via the direct service counters or by email to ombudsstelle-sicherheit@viennaairport.com

NEW SINCE 01 SEPTEMBER 2015: EXPLOSIVES CONTROLS

From the 01 September 2015 extended EU Commission regulations on security with regard to the control of explosives will come into force at European airports and hence also at Vienna Airport.

Spot checks by means of so-called explosive trace detection (ETD) devices will be carried out. When going through the regular security check, passengers will, in addition, be swiped by special samplers on belts/waistbands and on mobile phones, boarding cards, passports, etc., as well as hand luggage and electronic devices. An on-the-spot chemical analysis of the swipe will give an indication of any traces of compounds suspected to be explosives. In the event of an alarm, a follow-up check will be made. If there are still grounds for suspicion, the passenger concerned will be interviewed by the Police to clarify the situation.

All information regarding the security check can be found on the homepage of the Federal Ministry of the Interior www.bmi.gv.at.

If you have any queries or suggestions please contact ombudsstelle-sicherheit@viennaairport.com.