Manchester airport has become one of the first to throw its hat into the ring concerning new rules on cabin baggage.
The UK operates one of the world”s most stringent hand baggage regimes in Europe and its one bag only rule has caused considerable resentment, particularly among business travellers who need to carry laptops.
However, the Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly, announced two weeks ago that airports would be invited to submit plans for passengers to carry on more than one bag ” subject to infrastructure and airline constraints.
And Manchester airport is optimistic that with new systems in place, it will be able to cope with the extra demand.
”We are one of the first airports to express an intent to apply,” a Manchester airport spokeswoman told ABTN. ”We are going to apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) and we are extremely confident that we will be successful.
”We have ordered new screening machines, which will allow us to screen additional bags.”
The spokeswoman conceded that it would take longer to process through security, but added that the current average time at Manchester for 95% of its passengers, was 11min.
Manchester airport is investing more than ”15m ($30.9m) in security and is building new outbound security control areas in Terminals 1 and 2, while increasing the number of security staff by 40%.
Approvals will only take place after 7 January, as the DfT wants airports to be able to cope with the Christmas rush.