Airport Security Measures to Continue
Airport Security Measures to Continue
Please Note (2nd November 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably increasing the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft, relaxing the restrictions on musical instruments, and allowing limited quantities of liquids in the cabin. The changes will take effect from Monday 6th November 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The summary below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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Sky News reports that new Airport Security Measures are to stay in force for the forseeable future.
See TheTravelPage article Airport Security – Limited Hand Luggage Permitted in Cabin for details of what can now be carried on board.
While the civil aviation threat level remains at ‘Severe’, the Department of Transport will keep these measures in place to protect the public. They are currently working on ways to detect liquid explosives, and at some point in the future it may be feasible to relax the restrictions.
The aim of the current security measures is to meet the threat but to minimise the inconvenience.
Meetings are planned with European governments and the aviation industry to see what common international standards of security could be introduced.
Personally, we are reassured by the Government’s approach and the fact that they are taking the travelling public’s safety seriously, and here at TheTravelPage.co.uk we’ll continue to travel, but we’ll arrive at the airport early and we’ll have our Airport Lounge booked so we can chill out while we wait.
TheTravelPage.co.uk will continue to monitor developments.
Airport Lounges – Relax During Delays
Airport Lounges
With the current delays being experienced at airports due to the increased security measures, now could be a good time to consider booking an Airport Lounge. You can enter the lounge up to three hours before the scheduled departure time of your flight, and if it is delayed you can remain in the lounge until it departs.
Don’t forget, children are now accepted and with prices starting at just £13.50 per person, and drinks and snacks all included (except champagne), you can enjoy first class luxury in a stress-free environment.
If you would like to start your holiday away from the hubbub of the airport terminal, and relax in an Airport Lounge instead, you can find out more or book your place at the TheTravelPage.co.uk web site.
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TheTravelPage.co.uk has teamed up with the market leader, Holiday Extras, to offer these travel options, which can be booked using the links below:
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Categories: Airlines, Airport Lounges, Travel Extras Tags:
Airport Security – Limited Hand Luggage Permitted in Cabin
Airport Security – Limited Hand Luggage Permitted in Cabin
Please Note (2nd November 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably increasing the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft, relaxing the restrictions on musical instruments, and allowing limited quantities of liquids in the cabin. The changes will take effect from Monday 6th November 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The summary below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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With the threat level of all civil aviation having been reduced to ‘Severe’, limited hand luggage is now permitted in aircraft cabins. However, this does need to comply with strict rules over the dimensions of the baggage, and liquids continue to be on the prohibited list with the only exceptions being baby milk and liquid baby food along with essential medicines.
All laptops and large electrical items (for example, large hair dryer) can be carried in hand baggage, but must be removed from the bag and placed on a tray so neither item obscures the other during screening.
In detail, the revised requirements are as follows
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The following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport.
These measures remain under review.
Cabin Baggage
Each passenger is permitted to carry ONE item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point (NB Subject to the bag dimensions set out below, a bag or bags contained within a bag may be deemed to be one item of cabin baggage).
The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc).
All items carried by passengers must be x-ray screened.
No liquids of any type are permitted other than the following items:
• Essential prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient for the flight as long as verified as authentic.
• Baby milk and baby food sufficient and essential for the flight (the contents or bottle of each jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).
The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.
To help reduce any delays through search points passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (eg bottles, flasks, tubs, cans, plastic containers etc).
All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.
Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.
In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the US and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.
The Department for Transport says it will work closely with operators to introduce these new arrangements, seeking to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum. They say they will keep these measures under review.
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We recommend all travellers leave extra time for check-in and security clearance at UK airports
TheTravelPage.co.uk will continue to monitor developments
Holiday Firm Probed by Fraud Squad
Holiday Firm Probed by Fraud Squad
Don’t get caught out by unscrupulous Holiday websites!
Please note, you will not risk these problems if you follow the links and recommendations from TheTravelPage.co.uk, as we do not personally take money from those booking holidays, and we only refer holiday seekers to reputable companies who are ABTA and/or ATOL bonded.
The BBC reports that thousands of holiday makers nationally have lost money through the following companies. As the firm owning these websites was not linked to the ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) nor ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), customers are not entitled to redress from them.
The five websites under investigation are
- www.sunmedresorts.com
- www.unbeatableholidays.com
- www.holidaysforunder200pounds.com
- www.holidayrez.com
- www.holidayez.com
The five websites were trading under the names Fleetwood Holidays Ltd or Sun Orient Ltd, which were based in Islington, north London.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We believe that the companies are being registered and run for a short length of time and then replaced by newly named companies when the first company stops “trading” in order for the fraud to be continued.
You can read more on the BBC website.
Categories: General Tags:
Airline Security – New Rules for Hand Luggage
Airline Security – New Rules for Hand Luggage
Please Note (2nd November 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably increasing the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft, relaxing the restrictions on musical instruments, and allowing limited quantities of liquids in the cabin. The changes will take effect from Monday 6th November 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The summary below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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The following update has been placed on the Sky News website:
The ban on taking hand luggage on to flights from the UK has been lifted, though some restrictions remain in force.
The Department for Transport said passengers can carry one item of cabin baggage on to planes.
Airport operator BAA has been phasing the changes in, and the new regulations are now in place at Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton airports.
Heathrow passengers can currently take electronic equipment with them, but it must be kept in clear plastic bags, and the full regulations are expected to be in place there from 4.30am tomorrow.
Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham, Leeds-Bradford, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Belfast airports have also implemented the revised rules.
The DfT said the new arrangements apply to “all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport”.
The new rules are:
Cabin baggage must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7″ × 13.7″ × 6.2″ approximately), including wheels, handles and side pockets. This is smaller than the previous limits on hand luggage.
Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within it.
All items carried by passengers will be X-ray screened.
No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, with two exceptions:
Prescription medicines in liquid form essential for the flight (such as diabetic kit), as long as it is verified as authentic.
Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).
Liquids not allowed include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, for example toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam and aerosols.
No cosmetics, toiletries or sharp objects.
To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.
All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.
Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.
Passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate.
Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.
Airline Security – Update from the Home Office
Airline Security – Update from the Home Office
Please Note (2nd November 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably allowing limited quantities of liquids in the cabin. The changes will take effect from Monday 6th November 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The update below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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Please Note (21st September 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably increasing the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft and relaxing the restrictions on musical instruments. The changes will take effect from Friday 22nd September 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The summary below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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Following on from the announcement from the Home Office on 10th August, the Department of Transport has issued these restrictions on hand luggage:
Security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:
- pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
- travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
- prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
- spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
- contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
- for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
- female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
- tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
- keys (but no electrical key fobs)
All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.
There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.
Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.
If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.
Flights – Newsflash – Airport Delays Expected due to Increased Security Measures
Flights – Newsflash – Airport Delays Expected due to Increased Security Measures
Please Note (21st September 2006 Update) – The Department for Transport has announced further changes to the UK’s aviation security measures, notably increasing the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft and relaxing the restrictions on musical instruments. The changes will take effect from Friday 22nd September 2006.
The full update to the Airport and Airline Security Regulations can be found on TheTravelPage.co.uk main site.
The summary below has therefore been superceded, and we strongly recommend you follow one of the links above for the up-to-date position.
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As a result of a foiled terrorist plot involving 18 arrests, the UK threat level has been set to ‘Critical’. A very significant plot to blow up several planes between the UK and the US has been disrupted.
While the threat level is ‘Critital’, no hand luggage will be allowed on planes – no books,magazines, laptops or mobile phones. The only exception to this being communicated at the moment is that
travel documents may be carried, along with medicines and any vital supplies for those with infants.
Delays can be expected on flights from all UK aiports of between 1 and 3 hours, and travellers are advised to arrive early at the airport.
The Home Secretary, John Reid, says we should all try to go about our business as usual. British Airways, on the other hand, does advise people not to take a flight today if they do not need to – not because of any ongoing threat but due to the amount of disruption and delays that are likely to result from the need to check in all hand luggage.
Full details can be found on the home office website.
TheTravelPage.co.uk will continue to monitor developments
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance
Sky News reports today that Travel Agents are facing a Government investigation into claims holidaymakers are getting a raw deal on Travel Insurance.
According to the Treasury, despite paying out large sums for insurance, many people find they are not properly covered when they come to make a claim.
Consumer group Which? warned last month that holidaymakers who buy insurance from travel agents as part of a package deal were paying over the odds and could be left with inadequate cover.
To avoid being caught out we do recommend you not only hunt around for a competitively priced policy, but that you also read the detail about the level of cover your ‘bargain’ policy actually provides in the event of you having to make a claim. There are many budget policies available which are so cheap because the scope of what they cover is greatly reduced when compared to those costing a little more. You should also look closely at the ‘excess’ (the amount you have to pay yourself towards any claim).
We recommend you do your research before booking your holiday. If you have already identified the Travel Insurance company you plan to use you can compare the cost and the benefits directly with the single trip travel insurance policy which will probably be offered to you by the travel company when you actually book your holiday. However, if you decline the travel agent’s or tour operator’s insurance do make sure you book your travel insurance immediately after putting down the phone from booking your holiday.
The Travel Insurance comparison on the main TheTravelPage.co.uk site highlighting the cost saving by insuring through Essential Insurance does not use their budget policies as the basis for that comparison. We believe they provide an appropriate level of cover, which is comparable to that offered by the other companies listed.
If you need to book Travel Insurance soon why not look at our comparison and decide for yourself.
You can find more information about the Sky News story on their website.
Categories: Travel Extras, Travel Insurance Tags:
