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UPDATED: Revised UK Airports Hand Baggage Policy

4th November 2006 UPDATED: Saturday 4 November 2006
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Taken from the UK Department for Transport website: www.dft.gov.uk

The Department for Transport has announced changes to the UK's aviation security measures, notably to the quantity of liquids that passengers will be able to take onboard aircraft.

These changes will take effect from Monday 6 November 2006.

If you are departing from a UK airport BEFORE Monday 6 November, then please be aware that the current requirements as set out below will still be in place

Passengers should also take note that the changes introduced on November 6 will also apply to all airports in the EU irrespective of destination. Please make a note of these changes as they may be implemented while you are away from the UK whilst staying in an EU country.

Liquids
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Some liquids will be allowed once again through airport security check points. There will however be restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through:

Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100ml.

These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cms x 20cms). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids

The bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point.

For further information please visit: www.dft.gov.uk or
BBC News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6108546.stm

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Update: 26 September, 2006:

Taken from the UK Department for Transport website: www.dft.gov.uk

On Thursday 21st September, the Department for Transport announced changes to the UK's aviation security measures, notably increases to the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft. The changes came into effect on Friday 22 September 2006.

All passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and those transferring from international flights at a UK airport are required to be aware of the following:

Cabin Baggage
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ONE item only of cabin baggage is permitted through the airport security search point, the dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm (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 x-ray screened.

Mobility aids
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Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.

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

* Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as it is verified as authentic. Medicines in solid form continue to be permitted.
* Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

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

NOTE: The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

Large electrical items / Laptops
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Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. (Note: a laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin).

Musical instruments
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Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size (maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.)) are allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, and will need to be screened. Larger instruments (e.g. cellos) are also permitted into the cabin following screening. However, passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments need to be made.

Oversized baggage
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All other items of oversized luggage are required to be placed in the aircraft hold.

Flights to the US
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Passengers boarding flights to the USA 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.

These are the requirements set down by the Department for Transport. Airlines and Airports may have additional measures in place, and passengers are strongly advised to check the website of their carrier or airport before travelling.

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

For further information please visit: www.dft.gov.uk

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UPDATE 15 Aug, 2006:

Following the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre's decision to change the UK threat level from Critical to Severe, the following aviation security measures will apply at all UK airports with immediate effect.

These arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport.

Each passenger is permitted to carry ONE item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" 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 x-ray screened.

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

* Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. 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).

www.dft.gov.uk

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Original Statement Issued 10Aug 2006:

The following statement has been taken from the UK Department Of Transport's website:

"Following this morning's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.

With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:

* pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
* travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
* prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
* spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
* contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
* for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
* female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
* tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
* keys (but no electrical key fobs)

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

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

There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.

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

Further Information:
www.tdtravelgroup.com/contact.php
www.dft.gov.uk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm

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