UK's hand luggage restrictions will stick

The UK's transport minister, Ruth Kelly, convened a meeting between members of the government and key players in the country's aviation industry on July 19th. At the meeting the government made it very clear that despite protests from passengers and airlines alike, the restrictions on hand luggage would not be lifted.

Chief executives from British Airways, easyJet, Virgin Atlantic, and Bmi attended the meeting, as did officials from airport operator BAA. Kelly told those in attendance that the government had no plans to allow passengers a second piece of hand baggage on flights from the UK.

We will not compromise on the safety of passengers, and this means that the heightened security measures introduced last summer are still necessary, Kelly said in a statement. But I am only too aware that as the main summer season approaches, better preparations need to be put in place.

The meeting gave airline officials a chance to voice their concerns regarding airport security, which many claim are stifling the industry. BA and Virgin were very vocal in pointing out the chaos caused by the regulations on hand baggage.
Kelly's position on the issue remained firm although she indicated the government's willingness to listen to and work with members of the industry. She said that if airlines proved their ability to maintain a good level of security, rules could change in the future.

'In time we are willing to make further changes, for instance on the one bag rule. But currently the ball is in the industry's court. It is up to it to work with us to develop a process that would enable a change without compromising the safety and security of passengers,' Kelly added.

Chief executive of British Airways, Willie Walsh claimed that the regulations were driving tourists away from Britain.

'I made it very clear that the one piece of hand luggage restriction, which applies to customers departing the UK and transferring through the UK, has no security justification and has become intensely irritating to customers,' said Walsh in a statement. 'The restriction is also damaging the UK's reputation around the world from a business perspective.'

Chief executive for Virgin Atlantic, Steve Ridgway pointed out that airport operators were an important factor in the smooth running of airports and the maintenance of tight security.

While the regulations restricting travellers to only one piece of hand luggage remain in place this summer, it seems that airport operators, with the help of airlines, may be able to improve the situation sometime in the future.


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Jennifer Jones Editorial


20/07/2007


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