EU will not further limit carry-on luggage

The European Commission has decided not to introduce regulation limiting the size of carry-on hand luggage on aircraft.

Each airline will therefore continue to be free to set the acceptable maximum size and shape of hand luggage, as well as the number of bags allowed.

The commission decided that the cost to airlines and the inconvenience to passengers outweighed any potential security benefit.

Jacques Barrot, head of the commission's transport and security portfolios, emphasised the necessity of balancing security with passenger convenience.

Security fears following the foiled attempt to attack civil aviation in August 2006 had led to a Europe-wide limit on cabin baggage size being proposed and considered by the commission.