EU drops limits on hand luggage

UK restrictions on the size of hand luggage came in earlier this year

Plans to restrict the size of hand luggage on planes have been scrapped by the European Commission because they are too much trouble for passengers.

After an alleged 2006 plot to blow up transatlantic planes, measures were drawn up to improve security screening.

But a decision to impose them was delayed until studies were carried out.

"It is clear that the inconvenience of additional limits would outweigh the advance in security," said EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot.

Individual airlines and EU countries will still be able to impose their own restrictions.

In January, the UK relaxed its strict one-bag rule on hand luggage, but introduced the regulation originally recommended by EU security experts for carry-on luggage to be a maximum of 56cm long, 45cm high and 25cm deep (22 x 17.6 x 9.7 inches).

The size was recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and adopted by a number of airlines.