As of January 7th 2008, the “one bag rule” for hand baggage per person has been lifted by some airports within the UK, however, due to not all airports being able to manage an increase of baggage through the security central search and some of the airlines continuing to operate a 1 bag rule, customers are to be advised to check with their airline prior to travel to clarify what hand baggage they will be permitted to take.

BAA has today urged passengers to double-check airline baggage policies before travelling to its airports once new Government baggage rules come into effect on Monday 7 January.

From Monday, the one-bag restriction will be lifted at six of BAA's seven UK airports (detailed below), with Gatwick following early in 2008. However, a number of airlines will continue to restrict the number of bags which can be carried in to the cabin.

A spokesman for BAA said: "We will be helping to advertise the changes in Government baggage restrictions at our airports, but it is important that passengers check with their airline before travelling as carriers have different policies governing the number of items of hand baggage which may be taken in to the aircraft cabin. To help passengers further, we will also be asking airlines to ensure that passengers clearly understand airline baggage policies at the check-in points, before they pass through security."