A “temporary technical issue” has been blamed for the decision to reintroduce the 100ml limit on carry-on liquids at European airports from September 1.

Following the rollout of new C3 scanners in airports across the EU it was hoped the ban on passengers carrying hand luggage liquids in containers of more than 100ml would be lifted once and for all.

But in a reversal of the rules, airports have once again imposed the 100ml limit after the European Commission discovered the scanners “did not meet the standard for which they had been approved”.

In a bid to reassure travellers about safety, the EC said the limits had not been reintroduced because of any direct threat but due to a technical problem.

It is not known how long the ruling will last for, but the decision follows the UK Government’s decision to reintroduce the 100ml limit on hand luggage liquids back in June.