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| Hand luggage rules to be relaxed | Hand luggage rules to be relaxed |
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| Hand baggage restrictions imposed in the UK after an alleged terrorist plot to attack airliners are to be eased from Friday, the government has said. | Hand baggage restrictions imposed in the UK after an alleged terrorist plot to attack airliners are to be eased from Friday, the government has said. |
| Passengers will still only be allowed one piece of luggage but the maximum size permitted will increase to that of a small roller-suitcase. | Passengers will still only be allowed one piece of luggage but the maximum size permitted will increase to that of a small roller-suitcase. |
| The limits have been blamed for causing delays and for costing airlines. | The limits have been blamed for causing delays and for costing airlines. |
| Most liquids will still not be allowed through security but instruments can be brought on board in a separate case. | Most liquids will still not be allowed through security but instruments can be brought on board in a separate case. |
| Professional musicians have criticised the ban, some of whom cancelled tours rather than risk valuable instruments in aircraft holds. | Professional musicians have criticised the ban, some of whom cancelled tours rather than risk valuable instruments in aircraft holds. |
| The changes come after the government's transport security division held talks with the aviation industry on Monday. | The changes come after the government's transport security division held talks with the aviation industry on Monday. |
| The Department for Transport said the easing was designed to "lessen the burden on passengers, while maintaining a rigorous security regime". Passengers' baggage advice | The Department for Transport said the easing was designed to "lessen the burden on passengers, while maintaining a rigorous security regime". Passengers' baggage advice |
| But passengers should still allow extra time for security checks ahead of their flights. | But passengers should still allow extra time for security checks ahead of their flights. |
| "The measures we introduced in August were in response to a very real and serious threat which continues," it said. | "The measures we introduced in August were in response to a very real and serious threat which continues," it said. |
| British Airways, which has said cancelling more than 1,000 flights because of the alert cost it £40m, welcomed the announcement. | British Airways, which has said cancelling more than 1,000 flights because of the alert cost it £40m, welcomed the announcement. |
| "This is a sensible step forward that takes full account of the security threat level while making life easier for our customers," it said. | "This is a sensible step forward that takes full account of the security threat level while making life easier for our customers," it said. |
| A Virgin Atlantic Airways spokeswoman said: "We are pleased that the restrictions have been relaxed and we believe this is a step in the right direction." | A Virgin Atlantic Airways spokeswoman said: "We are pleased that the restrictions have been relaxed and we believe this is a step in the right direction." |
| Ryanair had earlier announced it was seeking compensation of about £3m from the government over airport delays resulting from the increased anti-terror measures. | Ryanair had earlier announced it was seeking compensation of about £3m from the government over airport delays resulting from the increased anti-terror measures. |
| Compensation claim | Compensation claim |
| Thousands of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and BAA's other UK airports after the alleged plot was foiled on 10 August. | Thousands of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and BAA's other UK airports after the alleged plot was foiled on 10 August. |
| A total ban on hand luggage was initially brought in but after a few days passengers were allowed to carry on a laptop computer-sized bag | A total ban on hand luggage was initially brought in but after a few days passengers were allowed to carry on a laptop computer-sized bag |
| The new size limit for carry-on luggage will increase to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 17.75in x 9.85in approx). | The new size limit for carry-on luggage will increase to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 17.75in x 9.85in approx). |
| The aim of the measures announced today is to maintain that security while lessening the inconvenience to passengers Douglas Alexander, Transport Secretary | The aim of the measures announced today is to maintain that security while lessening the inconvenience to passengers Douglas Alexander, Transport Secretary |
| Electrical equipment continues to be allowed on board, but must be removed for screening. | Electrical equipment continues to be allowed on board, but must be removed for screening. |
| The current security measures ban all liquids except medication essential for the flight and baby milk and liquid baby food, which must be tasted by the passenger. | The current security measures ban all liquids except medication essential for the flight and baby milk and liquid baby food, which must be tasted by the passenger. |
| The Department for Transport said it is working on ways to ease this restriction in future. | The Department for Transport said it is working on ways to ease this restriction in future. |
| Instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size will now be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, after being screened. | |
| Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "We will never compromise the security of the travelling public. | Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "We will never compromise the security of the travelling public. |
| "The aim of the measures announced today is to maintain that security while lessening the inconvenience to passengers. | "The aim of the measures announced today is to maintain that security while lessening the inconvenience to passengers. |
| "I am grateful for the forbearance passengers have shown and assure them that we will keep these regulations under review." | "I am grateful for the forbearance passengers have shown and assure them that we will keep these regulations under review." |