Britain's ban on in-flight hand luggage to be lifted

Restrictions on air passengers imposed after the terror alert at Britain's airports last month are set to be eased within days.

At a meeting on Monday, the Government and the airline industry are expected to agree a new deal allowing passengers to take more hand luggage and possibly liquids onto planes.

The moves, which could be announced on Tuesday, will amount to a significant relaxation of the security crackdown that caused chaos in the days after August 10.

Following the discovery of an alleged Muslim plot to blow up transatlantic planes with liquid chemicals, more than 2,000 flights were cancelled and passengers queued for hours as security staff struggled to implement a series of emergency measures.

They included a ban on hand luggage and all liquids including water bottles and drinks cans.

The luggage ban has since been relaxed to allow a small hand bag measuring no more than 45cm in length, 35cm in width and 16cm in depth.

Although the security restrictions are not in force in the rest of Europe, EU officials may tighten rules on liquids.

Yesterday the Transport Commissioner, Jacques Barrot, said officials had worked out new rules that would allow a small amount of liquids such as a bottle of perfume or shampoo in hand luggage.

The rules must be discussed with EU member states in the coming weeks and then approved by the European Commission.

In Britain, the Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander is reported to have been pressing security officials, MI5 and police for a relaxation in air security.

As well as allowing bigger hand luggage, the Government may permit passengers to carry on board small bottles of fluid in a clear plastic bag.

Musical instruments may also be permitted following protests from professional musicians.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said yesterday: "The measures we introduced in August were in response to a very real and serious terrorist threat which continues.

"Since then the Department for Transport has been working closely with the aviation industry to see if there are any practical steps that can be taken to lessen the burden while not compromising on security.

"We will be meeting with industry representatives next week to present to them new proposals aimed at lessening the burden on both passengers and operators...we intend to make an announcement later next week on new regulations."

The spokesman added: "We will never compromise on passenger security but we are always mindful that passengers should be able to travel as freely as possible."

Airport operator BAA, which owns London's Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, said it expected the restrictions to be eased within 24 hours of Monday's meeting.

Any relaxation will be welcomed by the airline industry, which has reported losses of at least £56m ($160m) as a result of last month's problems.

Particularly thankful will be short haul airlines, whose passengers often prefer to avoid checking-in luggage to save time on short trips.

Ryanair has threatened to sue the Government for £3m (8.6m) for losses caused by the "shambles."

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