The travel industry has welcomed relaxation of the one cabin-bag rule at airports announced last week, but concerns remain at its staggered introduction from January 7 2008.
Airports will have to convince the transport department they can allow passengers more than one bag without triggering longer queues at security or waving people through without adequate checks.
The hi-tech aTiX scanners that provide multiple images of luggage contents will be limited to some security channels at Heathrow from January and lifting the restrictions elsewhere will depend on additional facilities and staff.
Manchester Airport announced it would seek the lifting of the restriction last week. But chief executive Geoff Muirhead warned allowing two bags at some airports and one at others would be “chaotic”.
Continental Airlines UK and Ireland senior director Bob Schumacher said: “We understand why Heathrow has been given priority. But anything staggered is more complicated.”
The carrier flies from seven UK airports and Schumacher said: “We will be pushing to ensure all have the facilities to lift the restriction as soon as viable.”
The Guild of Travel Management Companies welcomed the extension of security checks on luggage to major railway stations, also unveiled last week, and called for train check-in times to be revised to take account. Details of the checks have yet to be announced.
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