Gatwick to lift “one-bag” rule

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