• January 23, 2022

Airports and airlines in India asked to strictly follow the ‘one handbag rule’ inside the cabin of aircraft

Airports and airlines in India asked to strictly follow the ‘one handbag rule’ inside the cabin of aircraft

NEW DELHI Jan 23: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has ordered airports and airlines to strictly follow the ‘one handbag rule’ where the passengers travelling by flights will be allowed to carry only one bag inside the cabin of the aircraft.

CISF has asked the airlines and airports to implement the earlier Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) one-bag order.

“As per BCAS AVSEC Circular Nos. 06/2000 & 11/2000, no passenger should be permitted to carry more than one handbag other than those items already listed in the circular including a lady’s bag,” said the CISF order.

“However, it has been seen that passenger on average carries 02-03 No. of handbags to the screening point,” added the order.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has further informed the airlines to put a message on boarding passes and tickets of the passengers to make them aware of the development.

“All airlines may be directed suitably to inform pax (passengers) and to display ‘one handbag rule’ on their tickets, boarding passes very conspicuously,” said the order.

Airport Operators may be instructed to place hoarding/banner/board/standees display, the contents of the ‘One handbag Rule’ near the check-in counters, vantage locations before SHA at the airports, to that passengers get sensitized and if required, have an option to switch the extra handbags to registered baggage,” the order read.

But it in no way takes away your rights as they presently exist. At the moment, the following are allowed for you to carry onboard a plane:

One piece of hand baggage is 115 cm in dimensions (length x breadth x height).
Government rules don’t specify the weight allowance, but airline rules usually prescribe 7 kg weight of a handbag

This is exclusive of the following items:
Lady’s Handbag
An Overcoat or wrap
A rug or Blanket
A Camera or a pair of binoculars
A reasonable amount of reading material for the flight (open, not in a bag)
Umbrella or walking stick
Infant’s feed if an infant is being carried on the flight
A gift item purchased from a duty-free shop.
A Laptop computer is allowed to be taken as a separate item with one hand baggage onboard a civil flight.