UK to ease regulations on carry-on flight bags

Britain said today it would allow air travellers to carry larger bags and large musical instruments onto planes but that a ban…

Britain said today it would allow air travellers to carry larger bags and large musical instruments onto planes but that a ban on non-essential liquids would remain.

Britain banned most liquids and set smaller limits on carry-on bags last month following what police said was a foiled plot to blow up US-bound airliners leaving Britain.

"Following meetings with the industry and consultation with international partners, we can now introduce further changes to the current regime which will lessen the burden on passengers, while maintaining a rigorous security regime. These changes will take effect from tomorrow, Friday," the UK's Department for Transport said.

"The measures we introduced in August were in response to a very real and serious threat which continues," the department said.

READ MORE

It said passengers would still be allowed just one item of hand baggage, but that the size limit had been increased to 56 centimetres by 45cm by 25cm.

Large musical instruments will be allowed as a second item of hand luggage, it said.

Aviation experts from the European Union's 25 member states are set to review EU proposals for carry-on baggage on September 27th, a spokesman for the European Commission said.