Passengers faced confusion at British airports as hand luggage restrictions were eased today, with some airlines and airports keeping the one-bag rule.
Regulations were tightened in August 2006 after the foiling of an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic planes, meaning just one piece of hand luggage per passenger was allowed in the cabin.
The rule was lifted today at 22 British airports, including London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. But it remains in place at some major airports - including London Gatwick, London Luton, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool - as they have not proved to the Department for Transport that they can cope with eased restrictions.
Furthermore, low-cost airlines Ryanair and EasyJet, plus German carrier Lufthansa, have decided to stick with the one-bag rule at all airports.
Gatwick, Britain's second-busiest airport after Heathrow, now has a two-bag rule at the South Terminal but retains the one-bag rule at the North Terminal until February 11.
At all airports, other restrictions brought in following the alleged foiled plot remain in place, such as the 100ml limit on liquid containers.
'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 UK Airport Operators' Association.
'If in doubt, passengers should make sure that they only take on board items of baggage needed in the aircraft cabin,' he added.
