AirlinesWidely publicised measures by Irish airlines aimed at "incentivising" passengers to travel with only hand-held luggage could be significantly affected by yesterday's events in Britain.
Under updated security restrictions issued by the British government yesterday, items of hand baggage cannot be carried on board any aircraft departing any UK airport. The measures apply to all airlines operating from UK airports until further notice.
No similar restrictions have been imposed on hand baggage on flights out of Ireland. Hand baggage is still being accepted on flights leaving Irish airports.
Aer Lingus yesterday said it was continuing to assess the situation in the UK in the context of the airline's plans to introduce baggage charges on short-haul flights to and from Britain and Europe from next January.
A spokeswoman for Ryanair, which is due to increase the baggage charges for passengers which it introduced last March, also said it would be continuing to liaise with the UK authorities on the matter. But she said it currently has no intention of looking again at its policy of encouraging passengers to bring only hand-held luggage. Approximately 25 per cent of Ryanair passengers currently travel with just hand-held luggage.
The spokeswoman added that yesterday's restrictions on hand-held luggage applied only to flights from UK airports. She said the company had not placed any new restrictions on hand-held luggage for flights to mainland Europe and the UK.
The Aer Lingus spokeswoman said normal security procedures relating to hand-held luggage for passengers travelling to mainland Europe have not been changed in light of yesterday's events. However, the airline is advising passengers travelling through and departing from the UK not to bring any hand-held luggage with them.
A spokesman for BMI said there were no restrictions on hand luggage for passengers travelling from Dublin.