EU refuses to rule on carry-on size limits

The European Commission has withdrawn plans to set legal limits to the size of airplane carry-on baggage.

Back in 2006 the Commission was advised by security experts to limit the maximum size of carry-on baggage on EU flights to 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm. This legal limit was supposed to make it easier for security staff to screen the baggage - the smaller the bag, the fewer items to check.

But effectiveness studies made the Commission rethink its plans:

“We must seek to balance security with passenger convenience. We already have very tough screening rules and before going any further I felt we should really analyse the benefits. In this case it is clear that the inconvenience of additional limits would outweigh the advance in security”, said Vice President of the European Commission, Jacques Barrot in an announcement released on 5 May 2008.

Instead the maximum size of cabin baggage will be left to the individual airline to decide.

In reality many airlines have already adopted the maximum size of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm, but good for you EU! Hopefully this will open up for a more sensible approach to security and put an end to the “legislate first, think later” era.

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