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Gatwick to lift “one-bag” rule

Published: 26/03/2008 - Filed under: News »

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Gatwick airport is finally lifting restrictions limiting passengers to one piece of hand luggage, nearly three months after the limit was removed at other BAA airports.

From March 31 Gatwick passengers will no longer be subjected to the “one-bag” rule, originally imposed following security scares in August 2006. However BAA stresses that some individual airlines operating from Gatwick have decided to retain the restrictions, so passengers should check with their carrier before arriving at the airport.

Restrictions limiting passengers to one item of cabin baggage were lifted at all other BAA airports on January 7, 2008, and in the Gatwick Airport transfer security areas in February. The Department for Transport (DfT) originally granted Gatwick an extension of the restrictions to allow new x-ray and archway technology to be installed in central search areas, work which has now been completed.

For more information visit baa.com.

Report by Mark Caswell

COMMENTS » 

JimBannerman1 - 27/03/2008 19:33

"However BAA stresses that some individual airlines operating from Gatwick have decided to retain the restrictions"

So that means the staff who shout "any liquids, gels or pastes" all day (who remind you a bit of those charity market researchers in the high street) outside the security hall will additionally have to check your boarding pass to see if your airline is a 1 or 2 bag carrier. Sounds like more delays and yet another obstacle in the assault course of security clearance. The area outside security in Gatwick south terminal is reminiscent of a street market ("all liquids, gels and pastes - only a pound") - they should hand out noise cancelling headphones with (or instead of) the freezer bags.

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