`New airline rule’: Passengers can carry only one handbag on domestic flights in India

The Centre has put a cap on the handbags being carried by passengers on domestic flights in a bid to reduce congestion and security threats at the airport.

On Friday, the Centre issued a notification wherein a passenger will be allowed to carry only one handbag. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said the rule is for all domestic flights in India.

“No passenger should be permitted to carry more than one handbag other than those items already listed in the circular including lady’s bag. However, it has been seen that a passenger on an average carries 2-3 numbers of handbags to the screening point,” the notification said stated.

The airline may be made responsible and depute staff to guide pax, check and verify their handbag status, etc, before allowing the passenger for pre-embarkation security checks, it said.

“All airlines may be directed suitably to inform pax and to display ‘one handbag rule’ on their tickets/boarding passes very conspicuously. Airport operators may be instructed to place hoarding/banner/board/standees displaying the contents of the ‘One handbag Rule’ near the check-in counters, vantage locations before SHA at the airports so that passengers get sensitized and if required, have an option to switch their extra handbags to registered baggage,” the notification said.