Bags of confusion over airport baggage rules

New hand luggage allowances were branded 'confusing' by some travellers in the UK after most airports eased the restrictions.

The regulation reducing passengers to one piece of luggage each in the cabin were stepped-up in August 2006 following an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic planes.

Most UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff have reviewed the policy and are now allowing two bags per passenger but others including London Gatwick, London Luton, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool have not.

They have not proved to the Department for Transport that they can cope with eased restrictions.

Furthermore, low-cost airlines easyJet and Ryanair, plus German carrier Lufthansa, have decided to stick with the one-bag rule at all airports.

"Different rules for different airlines and airports means that it is essential passengers check the situation before they fly," said Neil Pakey, deputy chairman of the Airport Operators' Association.

"If in doubt, passengers should make sure that they only take on board items of baggage needed in the aircraft cabin."

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London City Airport continues to expand and improve its services for business travellers - new flights include - Daily Lufthansa service to Berlin-Tegel launched on Monday 14 January and British Airways twice daily business class-only flights from London City Airport to New York planned for next year.


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East Midlands to Cologne route launched by bmi

A new route to Cologne from East Midlands Airport has been launched by bmi this week.

The airline's bmi regional subsidiary will operate the flights to the German city every day except on Saturdays via Embraer jet planes.

Cologne is situated on the Rhine river and holds a number of attractions for travellers, including a spectacular cathedral, numerous churches of historical significance and a plethora of museums and galleries.

It is also home to more than 4,000 pubs, bars and restaurants, holds a popular carnival every year and contains many sites of importance to those interested in Roman history.

"The direct flights will also prove popular with business users, whether they are conducting business in Cologne, Bonn or elsewhere in Germany," commented Caroline Plant, marketing and communications director at East Midlands Airport.

"We are anticipating a huge demand for these flights," she added.

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Gatwick closer to relaxing hand baggage rule

London Gatwick Airport has removed the one-bag restriction on hand baggage, effective from yesterday. The airport will now allow people to travel with more than one piece of carry-on luggage on flights through the North Terminal, in addition to the South Terminal, subject to individual airline's rules. However this allowance is still limited to connecting flights.

If you are transferring through London Gatwick airport you will be allowed to take two pieces of hand baggage.

If you are travelling from London Gatwick you will be allowed to take one piece of hand baggage.

"This rule will be relaxed in the near future when the ongoing construction project to upgrade and expand the security facilities at the airport is completed," a statement said.

The government's deadline for all UK airports to be ready to relax single bag restrictions is May 31.

'Itch-free' pyjamas test at Heathrow hotel

Designers have developed pyjamas that regulate body temperature, stop itching and ensure a good night's sleep, and they are being tested by guests at a Heathrow hotel.

The "therapeutic" pyjamas are meant to deter nighttime itching, which prevents 23 percent of Brits from getting a good night's sleep, the hotel chain found in its sleepwear study of 3,000 adults across the U.K. The fabric, called Dermasilk, is made from natural knitted silk and is said to curb cases of evening itching by regulating body temperature and maintaining moisture balance.

The sleepwear is being tested by customers at Travelodge hotels at Heathrow Airport, plus hotels in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh. Travelodge is offering the £25 pj's free to guests during the trial.

Newcastle Airport offers 85 destinations

Recent growth at Newcastle Airport means passengers can now take flights from the hub to four of the world’s continents, or 85 different destinations, ranging from Dublin to Dubai.

The flight boom started by the arrival of easyJet in 2003, has seen passenger numbers soar since. In 1980, the airport had 917,000 passengers. It hopes to have nine and a half million by 2016.

The number of passengers has nearly doubled in the last seven years and there are now more flights per hour than there were each day in 1966. Along with budget flights, the arrival of Emirates last year meant long-haul flights to Dubai, and connections to further afield, became a reality.

This week regional low-cost airline Flybe announced that it would set up a base at the airport, launching three new routes and creating an estimated 1000 jobs in the next two years. More destinations are on their way, with Flybe planning flights to locations in mainland Europe and Scandinavia.