Carry-on baggage rule eased by some airlines

Dubai: Many airlines will re-introduce from Monday two-piece hand baggage allowance for passengers transferring through and leaving Heathrow - the landing and transfer point for Middle East passengers, Gulf News has learnt.

Paul Starrs, British Airways Commercial Manager, Middle East, said: "We have argued for many months that the one-bag restriction was a serious inconvenience for passengers and not justified on security grounds - we are extremely pleased to see these restrictions lifted."

The two-baggage rule will apply to first, business and economy class passengers on British Airways.

Partial changes

The two other airlines that have made a partial change in the baggage rule are Etihad Airways and Emirates.

All airlines said the size limits on liquids remains unchanged.

The BBC quoting the UK Department of Transport said that travellers can carry more than one piece onboard, providing the airport has installed improved security scanners. A total of 22 UK airports including Heathrow, Man-chester, Glasgow and Edinburgh will allow passengers to take two pieces of hand baggage aboard.

Restrictions remain at Gatwick and other airports which have yet to meet government security requirements.

"It is not a British Airways policy change, it's a regulation change from the UK government," said an official of British Airways.

However, a spokesperson at Dubai Civil Aviation yesterday confirmed that it depends on individual airlines and "no such rules have been issued by us".

An Emirates spokesperson said they were aware of the new hand baggage policy at some UK airports, and that the airline has made the necessary arrangements.

"First and Business class passengers may carry a briefcase plus one handbag or one garment bag, with the total weight of both pieces not to exceed 12kg."

Emirates has posted the latest information its hand baggage policy on its website under - 'help/FAQs' section.

The policy for Economy class passengers has not changed and they are allowed to carry one piece of hand luggage aboard, not exceeding 7kg in weight. Thomas Clarke, spokes-person for Etihad Airways, said they were previously using the general cabin bag procedures for all their routes except to the UK.

"Now that the new rule has come into effect, the rules for passengers travelling from the UK have become more lenient," he said.

"Passengers travelling in Business class can carry two pieces, while Economy class will remain with one piece."

Inconvenience

Residents had mixed reactions about the relaxed baggage rule.

Alex Gouveia said: "It's good in a way but it can also be bad. Passengers may start carrying heavy bags, which will lead to more delays getting off the flight because it will be difficult to remove the bags from the overhead lockers."

Andrew Nagy, 31, said: "This is excellent news. I've just come back from the UK and had to face the hassle of travelling with only one piece of hand luggage. There are so many home comforts that I would like to bring back with me the next time I travel."