British Airways has blamed hand baggage restrictions at UK airports for its continuing problems in handling hold luggage at Heathrow.
BA chairman Martin Broughton made the claim to shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting, pointing out the one bag rule did not apply elsewhere in Europe or in the US.
He said the restriction “needs to be changed as soon as possible. It makes London an unattractive place, particularly for transit passengers.”
Latest figures from airport operator BAA appear to confirm that view, showing a 1.8% fall in passengers at Heathrow in June compared with a year ago.
BA was still working to clear a backlog of baggage at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 this week, following the build-up of more than 20,000 misplaced bags after the heightened security alert that accompanied the latest bomb attacks.
Broughton said the security restrictions led passengers to put more bags into the hold, which then overloaded the handling system.
Industry leaders were due to meet transport secretary Ruth Kelly at a summit on airport security on Thursday. However, the Government has warned there is little prospect of a relaxation of security measures.
Airlines remain hopeful the Department for Transport will give the go-ahead for a trial of advanced scanners at a Heathrow flight connection centre that would at least allow transfer passengers a second cabin bag.