14 November 2007
City welcomes New Year present for business travellers
through Heathrow
The City has welcomed news that baggage rules at Heathrow will
ease in 2008 - to provide much-needed relief for business and other
travellers and strengthen London’s position as the world’s leading
international financial and business centre.
New Lord Mayor David Lewis said: "Restrictions on in-flight
baggage compound a host of difficulties facing passengers using
Heathrow. They risk deterring business travellers and, so, cast a
shadow over all our efforts to ensure the City remains the worlds
leading international financial and business centre.
"Public safety and effective security have to be the priority
but we must also guard as far as possible against over-restrictive
measures that disrupt the economic activity which is the lifeblood
of the nation."
The Government today announced the prospect of a relaxation of
hand luggage restrictions, which is likely to mean passengers being
permitted to carry more that one piece of baggage on board.
The City has trenchantly advocated two bags, saying the current
one-bag rule adds to the unacceptable hassle at Heathrow caused by
air traffic congestion, clogged-up security checks and slow moving
immigration controls.
Michael Snyder, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee,
City of London Corporation, also welcomed the likely changes.
He said: "The City of London will heave a sigh of relief at the
likelihood of hand-luggage restrictions being eased. We have been
campaigning for it constantly because ease of access is vitally
important for the business of commerce and attracting the
international companies that are key to the City's success.
"The City is the world's leading international financial and
business centre but we cannot afford to be complacent. Anything
that adds to the difficulty of getting into or out of the capital
is a deterrent for international business, and plays into the hands
of other cities that are competing for our crown as the globe's top
financial location.
"Good security and safe travel must always be paramount
alongside a concern to ensure that the business of normal daily
life continues with as little interruption as possible. At Heathrow
we need faster-moving security queues and faster immigration.
"On the broader front, over-congestion is at the root of
Heathrow’s debilitating punctuality problems. The City is working
closely with the government, airlines and BAA to find the best
solutions to this.
Ends
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