UK airports begin to allow hand baggage

UK airports have altered flight restrictions following the Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre's decision to lower the threat level to the UK from 'critical' to 'severe'.

One item of hand luggage will now be allowed on to aircraft in most UK airports; however, British Airport Authority (BAA) stated that this would not be the case in Heathrow and Gatwick.

London's two major airports will not allow hand luggage until Tuesday 15th August 2006, this is due to the need to brief a large amount of staff who were unaware of the changes made overnight.

The Department for Transport (DfT) gave the exact particulars for the one item of hand luggage permitted.

"The dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.).

"Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened," DfT stated.

No liquids are permitted through the security check, and passengers flying to the US will go through a second security check to remove any liquids before boarding.

Essential medicines and baby milk is permitted with suitable proof of authenticity in the case of medicine.

DfT and BAA recommend that no containers that could possibly carry a liquid are included in hand luggage as this will cause delay.

Walking aids, pushchairs and wheelchairs are permitted. However, a thorough search of a wheelchair and a scan of other items will take place.

The government has released a list of definitions for items declared a liquid. Notable items in this category are gels, pastes and items in pressurised containers. Therefore, deodorants, shaving foams, aerosols and other assorted toiletries are not permitted.

DfT will constantly keep the measures under review. BAA and all operating airlines take breaches of the measures extremely seriously and on Sunday a British Airways flight was returned to Heathrow after a mobile phone went off and the owner refused to claim it.