Manchester Airport prepared for two bags changeover
03.01.08
Passengers at Manchester Airport will not have to stick to strict hand baggage limits from next week. From Monday (January 7), air travellers can carry more than one piece of luggage on board their flight on most airlines.
Manchester is one of the first 20 airport in the country to be given permission by the Department for Transport (DfT) to lift the one hand bag rule introduced more than a year ago in the wake of the liquid bomb plot and concerns about airport security. Airport officials say they were among the first to be given the green light because of a substantial investment in a new scanning system, extra security staff and training.
Passengers have only been allowed to take a handbag, laptop or small piece of baggage through security screening since August 2006. The measure led to complaints from travellers, airlines and airports as a surge in checked items caused longer waiting times and broken conveyors. It was particularly unpopular with business travellers and transit passengers, especially as the UK was the only country to implement the rule.
But from Monday passengers at 20 UK airports can now carry on extra pieces of baggage providing they meet their airline's weight limits. However, restrictions on liquids still remain with passengers banned from bringing more than 100ml of any liquid through security, and some airlines, such as Ryanair, will continue to apply the one bag limit.
Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, said in an e-mailed statement that it had been granted permission because it could screen bags to a high standard.
He said: 'We're really pleased that our efforts to put speedy, effective security screening in place have been recognised by this decision. We've invested heavily to bring us to the point where we know we are able to manage the extra pressure that will be put on our systems.'
The move marks the end of the government-introduced restriction on baggage. However, passengers are still advised to check with their airline about on-board baggage limits, as some airlines - particularly budget airlines - will continue to enforce the one bag rule even when airports have permission for two bags.
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