Baggage advice for UK passengers

BBC | August 14 2006

The decision to downgrade the UK terrorism threat level from "critical" to "severe" means there have been some changes to security measures at UK airports.

Each passenger will now be permitted to carry one item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point.

However, airport operator BAA is warning there will be delays in implementing the policy at some of its airports.

BAA says the changes will not come into force at Heathrow and Gatwick until 0430 BST on Tuesday.

Stansted is also not due to lift the restrictions until Tuesday, once managers have had the chance to brief all its security staff.

In the meantime at those airports, the restrictions on hand luggage put in place last Thursday will remain.

Passengers are being advised to go prepared and take clear, plastic bags with them.

For those allowed to take hand luggage on board, the dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7"x13.7"x6.2" approx) including wheels, handles, side pockets, etc.

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be screened by X-ray.

No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

Prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic.

Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).
The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, eg toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc.

To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (eg bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc) in their cabin baggage.

All laptops and large electrical items (eg large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the US and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

The Department for Transport says it will work closely with operators to introduce these new arrangements, seeking to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum. They say they will keep these measures under review.

Some airports not operated by BAA, which is also responsible for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton, have brought in the new measures, including Manchester and Newcastle.

However, a spokeswoman for Newcastle Airport said some passengers were turning up with hand luggage that was too big under the new restrictions.

If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports, they should contact the airport or their airline.

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