Rules remain

Last summer the government of the United Kingdom introduced new legislation reducing the number of bags passengers could bring on the plane with them to one. This summer, they are keeping the rule in place.

The regulations were introduced after a plot was uncovered last year to bomb a transatlantic flight. Since then passengers flying to and from the UK have only been allowed one piece of carry on luggage.

At a recent summit meeting on security measures in airports, the transport minister, Ruth Kelley reiterated that the government would not compromise the safety of passengers or lift the ban on hand luggage.

“We will not compromise on the safety of passengers, and this means that the heightened security measures introduced last summer are still necessary,” Ms Kelly said.

Security at airports, and particularly measures like the hand luggage restrictions have been harshly criticized recently as contributing to the incredible slow down in airports in the UK.  Martin Broughton, the chairman of British Airways was particularly vocal at the meeting, pointing out that the hand luggage restriction was not enforced anywhere else in the world and thus was “no longer credible.”

He was unable to sway the government however and for those flying from the UK this summer, the rule remains: one bag on board only.

www.britishairways.com