European Union to Propose Hand Baggage Limits

The European Commission will propose new limits on the size of hand luggage authorized on board flights out of the EU’s airports, the bloc’s transport commissioner said Wednesday.

If approved, the new measures would also restrict the amount of liquid allowed in hand luggage and introduce new provisions in check-in procedures, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said, without giving more details.

The plan follows an alleged plot last month to blow up several U.S.-bound planes flying out of London’s Heathrow Airport.

Since the announcement of an alleged terrorist plot against flights out of Heathrow, European security and transport officials have met several times to agree on measures to tighten security controls.

EU nations agreed last week that complex electronic equipment, such as laptop computers, will have to be screened separately.

Several international airports have already implemented such controls independently, barring passengers from carrying any gels, liquids or creams on board and scrutinizing electronic equipment separately.