Stuttgart Airport Upgrades with CT Screening

Stuttgart Airport is renovating Terminal 3 to add CT screening tech and expand passenger security capacity.

Stuttgart Airport (STR) has begun reconstruction of passenger security lanes in Terminal 3 to accommodate computed tomography (CT) screening equipment. The move, announced by airport officials, is part of a broader effort to speed up checks, improve threat detection and future-proof security processes.

The investment is about €5 million (roughly $6 million). While work is under way, all passenger screening will be handled in Terminals 1 and 2. The refurbished Terminal 3 checkpoints are scheduled to reopen in March 2026.

What CT screening means for passengers

CT screening (computed tomography) produces 3D images of carry-on bags, letting operators identify potential threats faster and often allowing passengers to keep electronics and liquids in their bags. Airports adopting CT screening typically see fewer secondary checks and faster passenger flow once staff are trained on the new systems.

Key facts: CT screening will be installed in Terminal 3; screening shifts to Terminals 1 and 2 during works; reopening planned for March 2026.
Budget: the project carries a price tag of about €5 million (≈$6 million).
Passenger impact: temporary consolidation of security lanes is intended to maintain throughput while upgrades complete.

Airport operators say the upgrade aligns with wider trends across Europe as authorities and airports invest in next-generation screening to meet evolving regulatory and threat landscapes. For travelers, the short-term trade-off is using different terminals for security; the long-term benefit should be faster, more reliable checks.

Stuttgart’s program is one of several across the continent aimed at standardizing CT screening and reducing the need for manual bag checks. The airport has not disclosed the CT vendor by name or a precise construction timeline beyond the March 2026 target, but the headline figures and logistics plan are clear: consolidated screening now, upgraded lanes and CT screening later.