Domestic air passengers should be allowed to carry only one baggage in the cabin of the aircraft, subject to certain exemptions, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has told the civil aviation security agency BCAS.

Citing issues of congestion at pre-embarkation security checkpoints at airports because of passengers carrying 2-3 hand baggages, the CISF has asked the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to ensure that the one bag rule is enforced by all stakeholders and airlines.

The rule provides for certain exemptions, including lady’s bags.

In its communication to BCAS director-general Nasir Kamal on January 19, the CISF said carrying more than one bag to the screening point leads to increased clearance time as well as delays, congestion in pre-embarkation security check (PESC) point, and inconvenience to passengers.

“According to the BCAS AVSCEC circular 06/2000 and 11/2000, no passengers 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 often been seen that passengers on an average carry 2-3 bags to the screening point. This has led to increased clearance time as well as delays, congestion at the PESC point and inconvenience to passengers,” the CISF stated.

It is, therefore, felt that the enforcement of the aforesaid circular must be ensured by all stakeholders/ airline, it stated.

It further said, “All airlines and airport operators may be instructed to take steps to implement one handbag rule meticulously on the ground to ease out the congestion and other security concerns.”