Threat levels changed but flights still cut

The level of threat facing travellers planning to fly from a UK airport was reduced yesterday.

The government has decided to downgrade the warning from "critical" to "severe" and ease the security measures which were imposed last week, following the discovery of a terrorist plot to attack aircraft leaving the UK with explosive devices.

In response to this official change in threat level, the restrictions on hand luggage, which had banned anyone carrying anything more than paper documents and medication into the aeroplane cabin, have been eased.

Passengers leaving from UK airports will now be permitted to carry one item of hand luggage onto their flight.

The statement from the Department for Transport said: "Each passenger is permitted to carry one item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point.

"The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm, including wheels, handles and side pockets."

Liquids of all kinds, including gels, toothpaste, lotions and aerosols are still banned from all flights, the only exception being for baby milk and prescription medicines.

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