British Airways has slammed security rules over hand luggage on UK flights as too strict.
New measures were introduced into Britain's major airports last August in a response to the terror alerts that included an alleged plot to blow up airliners in transatlantic flight using liquid explosives.
BA chairman, Martin Broughton, told shareholders at the airline's annual general meeting yesterday: "Current UK security requirements are no longer credible."
"The one piece of hand baggage rule has no security justification, evidenced by the fact that it is not required in the US or anywhere else in Europe."
He added: "It is irritating to passengers, the consequent increase in hold baggage causes many of the baggage conveyor belt breakdowns, and makes London an unattractive place, particularly for transit passengers. It needs to be changed as soon as possible."
Both BA and airport operators BAA believe the baggage rule, which is unique to the UK, has affected the number of passengers transferring between flights at Heathrow, with many preferring to instead fly through rival European hubs such as Charles de Gaulle, in Paris, or Amsterdam's Schipol.
The new rules only allow passengers to take a single, small item of luggage on board, while liquid containers must be smaller than 100 millilitres, effectively forcing passengers travelling overnight with only hand luggage to buy toiletries at their destination.
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BA Attacks 'Too Strict' Airport Security Thu, 19 Jul 2007      Recommended linksHome Security Worries British HolidaymakersNew Security Measures Affect BAs Profit Tips on searching for your holiday A great site for holidays, hotels, flights and insurance Compare deals for travel insurance |
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