Laptops allowed back in aircraft cabins

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The ban on cabin baggage such as laptops and PDAs on commercial aircraft will be eased over the next 24 hours following a reduction in the national threat level.

The Department for Transport said passengers will be allowed to carry one item of hand luggage on to flights, with the ban on laptop computers, mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 and DVD players and other electrical items lifted, allowing business travellers to carry and use these items in-flight once again. However, some restrictions remain in place with regard to liquids, gel-based products and medicines.

The original ban introduced on Thursday last week required all electrical items, such as laptops to be checked-in and carried in the hold of the plane alongside normal hold luggage such as large suitcases and freight, rather than the cabin.

The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) including wheels, handles, side pockets etc. The new cabin baggage dimensions should be adequate for a laptop carry case.

In addition, all laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a plastic tray so that they can be x-rayed in isolation. This particular rule, first introduced this past February, initially caused significant delays at major airports such as Heathrow.

British Airways will reinstate cabin baggage on its flights as of 4.30am tomorrow (Tuesday), while other airlines are expected to begin allowing cabin baggage gradually throughout today and in to tomorrow.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The Department will work closely with airlines and airport operators to introduce these new arrangements safely and as quickly as we can. The Department will keep these measures under review".

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