Manchester Airport is one of the first UK hubs to be given permission to allow its passengers to take more than one item of luggage on-board flights.

Since August 2006, when UK airports were placed on high alert, those travelling through security gates have only been able to take one small item of hand luggage with them.

Andrew Cornish, managing director of the airport, said that he was pleased Manchester's effective security precautions have been acknowledged and indicated that security screening will remain high despite the relaxation of the luggage rules.

"We are one of the first airports in the UK to be allowed to lift the restriction and that's something we know our passengers and our airline customers really want," he remarked.

"We've invested heavily to bring us to the point where we know we are able to manage the extra pressure that will be put on our systems."

Last month, it was announced that train operator First TransPennine Express has started running services direct from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Carlisle to Manchester Airport.

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