Hand Luggage Restrictions In UK

The United Kingdom Transport Department has announced severe restrictions on hand luggage after the terror plot to blow up planes travelling to the US from Britain.

They apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

All cabin baggage will be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

Passengers may take only the following items through a airport security search point. They must be in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

:: Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards, etc (not handbags)).

:: Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets).

:: Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

:: Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases; contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.

:: For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).

:: Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes), tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs keys (but no electrical key fobs).

All passengers will be hand searched and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids will be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs will be allowed through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying will be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

Airports operator BAA said there are no changes to current hold baggage security measures but significant delays at airports were inevitable.

Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

A BAA statement said: "We wish to stress that these are precautionary measures. During the next few days airports will be extremely busy, therefore only those intending to fly should come to the airport.

"Passengers are asked to use public transport to get to and from the airport wherever possible.

"Passengers are also asked to be patient while these additional security measures are put in place. Delays are likely and passengers are therefore asked to allow extra time for their journey."