The home secretary has announced there will be a full review of air freight security, with new measures introduced overnight to calm safety fears following the failed bomb plot this weekend.
A bomb disguised as a printer cartridge was discovered on a freighter aircraft at East Midlands airport, with similar packages discovered in Dubai.
In her speech to the House of Commons yesterday, Theresa May confirmed that had the device detonated, it could have succeeded in bringing down the aircraft.
From today (November 2), passengers travelling from UK airports are not allowed to carry toner cartridges larger than 500g in their hand baggage.
The transport of printer cartridges by air cargo into, via or from the UK has also been banned, unless the package originates from Department for Transport approved sources.
The government has also stopped the transport of unaccompanied air freight to the UK from both Yemen and Somalia.
Mike Carrivick, CEO of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR UK), said it is not a knee-jerk reaction.
He said: “The method used on the cargo flights last week has caused the authorities to consider transportation of similar articles by passengers.”
BAR UK will be working with its industry partners and the government on the control aspect, said Carrivick, “with a view that it’s a temporary measure”.
“I think it’s a sensible move,” he added. “The public will want to know that such articles are banned... and that gives some time to converse with industry and find out what the more permanent solution may be.”