Hand luggage restrictions based on official’s briefcase

Anger among airlines at the airport security situation will not be helped by news some of the restrictions on hand luggage were drawn up arbitrarily.

Travel Weekly has learnt that, contrary to Department for Transport claims, the limits on cabin luggage size were decided simply by measuring the briefcase of a member of DfT staff.

The restrictions on size are solely about speeding passengers through security. Smaller bags, without numerous pockets, can be checked more quickly.

A DfT spokesman would not confirm the dimensions were obtained from a colleague’s brief case. But he said: “The size was set by the department to allow passengers to take a small number of personal items on board flights. It’s to allow for the fact there will be a lot of security checks.”

The DfT said the restrictions will remain while the security threat is at the current level.

Airlines have become increasingly vociferous in condemning the handling of the security alert.

BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop described the situation at Heathrow as “a catastrophe”, and Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary denounced hand luggage restrictions as “ridiculous”.

The T&G union, representing security staff, accused airlines of pressurising airports to speed up checks.

National secretary for civil aviation Brendan Gold said: “The pressure airlines are exerting on airports is not in the best interests of passenger security. The industry must not dictate the way we fly according to business considerations.”

The DfT spokesman said: “We know the opinion of some airlines. But the restrictions are proportionate and necessary. We have no intention of compromising security.”

BAA acknowledged increasing exhaustion could become a problem among staff. In a statement it said: “Conditions have settled down, albeit at the cost of serious staff fatigue.”

A spokesman conceded: “We’re stretched.”

BAA expects to operate at the current level of security “for the foreseeable future”.