Gatwick Cabin Baggage Restrictions Lifted

27 March 2008

BAA, the company that operates many of the UK’s largest airports, has announced that it is lifting cabin baggage restrictions at London Gatwick Airport from March 31 2008, as this statement explains:

"On 31st March, passengers travelling from Gatwick will be able to carry more than one bag through security. The government restriction limiting passengers to one item of cabin baggage was lifted at all other BAA airports on 7th January 2008, and in our transfer security areas in February. The Department for Transport originally granted us an extension of the restriction to allow the new x-ray and archway technology to be installed in our central search areas: the necessary work has now been completed.

From 31st March BAA will simply continue to apply the DfT’s cabin baggage restrictions relating to the size of each piece of luggage (maximum 56cm tall, 45cm wide and 25cm deep). However, we know that some airlines will choose to continue to impose the one item only restriction. Passengers will be advised to check with their airline for their particular baggage policy.

All airport signage will be changed to reflect this update. Airline check-in staff will also ensure that passengers are aware where the one item restriction continues to apply.

In order to limit the impact of the restriction being lifted, we have been working hard to improve our consolidation practices during the security process. As a result, laptops can now be placed in a screening tray with other belongings. The laptop is removed from its bag or case and placed on the bottom of the tray and its bag or case placed on top of it. New, larger trays may also be introduced in the near future so that fewer passengers will need to use more than one tray."

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