Transport secretary Ruth Kelly has announced an end to the hand baggage restrictions introduced in August 2006 during the height of the security scares. The one-piece limited will be increased to two pieces from January 7 although the EU-wide limit on liquids and gels will remain.
Travellers and airlines have been critical of the one-piece rule ever since it was introduced. BA chief executive Willy Walsh has claimed in the past that the rule was damaging the UK’s reputation around the world from a business perspective.
Before airports can relax the one piece rule they will have to apply to the Department for Transport to prove they have the facilities to screen the extra pieces of hand baggage.
Report by Alex McWhirter