Hand baggage limits ‘are up to the airlines’

By Nigel Baudains

AIRLINES will have the final say on hand-baggage restrictions, according to airport director Colin Le Ray. The one-bag restriction will be lifted at Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted airports from Monday and Mr Le Ray said an application would be made to the Department for Transport but, even if that was approved, carriers would decide whether to change policy.

‘Any airport that wishes to be released from the one-item restriction can apply to the DfT but it has to demonstrate that it can maintain security with the greater number of bags going through,’ said Mr Le Ray.

‘We spoke to the airlines that service Guernsey and consensus was that we should seek dispensation from the one-bag rule and that they as companies would need to decide how they implemented it.

‘I would anticipate that, providing we get the go-ahead, we should be in a position to complete the process within a month,’ said Mr Le Ray.

Aurigny commercial director Malcolm Coupar said his company would be ill advised to make changes which would mean passengers having one allowance at some UK airports and another in Guernsey.

‘Even if Guernsey does bring in the new regulation, we need to consider whether we make this move before all the destinations we operate between are compliant with the new regulations,’ he said. ‘We will be in discussion with Guernsey Airport in the coming weeks.’

Flybe said that following the UK Government’s decision to relax hand-baggage rules on an airport-by-airport basis, it would revert to its policy that was in place before the restrictions were applied.

‘Passengers should be aware when packing that the departure airport on their outward journey might have different restrictions to the departure airport on their return,’ said a spokesman.

Flybe economy passengers will be allowed to carry one piece of hand baggage weighing a maximum of 10kg, while economy-plus passengers can carry the same plus a laptop at approved airports only. All hand baggage must comply with Flybe’s dimension restrictions.

Restrictions on liquids still apply, with quantities not exceeding 100ml per container, which can be carried in a clear plastic bag measuring 20×20cm.

* The list of approved airports will be on UK Department for Transport website http://tinyurl.com/3yw3sq.