We were talking about the rules put in place for air travelling in Europe after the terrorist attempt in Heathrow airport 2 years ago and the paranoid feeling that was spread in England on the behalf of the feel scared factor "feel good factor". There was specific rules applying to passengers departing (the official rules say also entering... but my own experience showed me even travelling with a full bottle of water in my 2 hand luggage from Dubai to Gatwick airport) from UK airports (because everybody knows that terrorists won't be using any other airports) such as only allowed to carry ONE item of hand baggage, smaller than the normal European regulation.

So you might be glad to learn that even such stupid sensible rules are coming to an end and the UK Department for Transport has given approval to a number of UK airports to remove the one-bag restriction on hand baggage.  As a result British Airways and other companies will re-introduce its two-piece hand baggage allowance for passengers departing from the following airports with effect from 7 January 2008:

• London Heathrow
• London City
• Aberdeen
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Manchester
• Newcastle

New rules (hmm not so new for the rest of Europe) are:

1. one standard-sized bag - maximum size of the bag must not exceed 56x45x25cm (22x17.5x9.85in) (including wheels, pockets and handles)
2. In addition, one laptop sized bag, handbag or briefcase
3. A 23kg(51lbs) maximum (for British Airways) bag weight applies and you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin unaided.

Unfortunately the one-bag restriction will remain in place at the following very unsecured  British airports: London Gatwick, Jersey, Newquay

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