LOW cost airline easyJet is encouraging travellers to limit themselves to just one piece of cabin baggage at its airports around Europe.
From September 1 it will charge for additional bags at £5 per bag, if paid on line and £10 per bag if paid at the airport of departure.
The airline said that In light of the new airport security arrangements that are in place across much of Europe, which are expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, the airline is taking these steps to speed-up the handling of baggage at airports and minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Said a statement: "The new security measures strictly limit hand-baggage size, thus increasing the pressure on check-in and security procedures; as a result easyJet is making changes to its checked-in baggage policy.
"All easyJet passengers will be encouraged to limit themselves to a single piece of checked-in baggage. Any additional bags will be charged at £5 (if paid on-line, and £10 if paid at the airport at the time of departure). The total weight limit will remain at 20kg, regardless of the number of bags checked-in.
"This new approach will only apply to bookings made from Friday, September 1. Passengers who booked before this date are strongly advised to travel with only one piece of checked-in baggage, but they will not be liable for the charge.
"There is no change to the current excess baggage charge of £5 per kilo for checked-in bags above the 20kg allowance; the current policy on sporting goods will also remain unchanged."
The airline says it has already reverted to its normal check-in opening time of two hours prior to departure with immediate effect. The check-in desks will continue to close 40 minutes before departure and passengers who have checked-in on-line (and have no hold baggage) must present themselves at the boarding gate 25 minutes prior to departure.
Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted that easyJet has been operating a full and normal service for a few days; in fact, we were the first major airline to restore a normal service to our passengers.
"We are now taking action to adapt our policies to the new security measures, in a way which will benefit all our passengers. It is simply commonsense that people need to think a little more carefully about how much luggage they take, and that is what these changes are designed to do. They will speed up check-in and security and make the airport experience better for everyone."