Laptop may be allowed as handbag on domestic flights

Domestic air travellers may soon be able to carry a laptop along with a small bag as part of their handbag. Currently the rules allow a passenger to carry only one piece of handbag that can either be a handbag or a laptop.

However, after a meeting with the airlines here on Friday, the Government is considering diluting the rules so as to allow a laptop to be carried as a handbag even if the passenger is carrying other small bag onto the aircraft.

"The situation has changed dramatically since the one-piece of handbag policy was introduced.

The number of security personnel on duty at the airports has increased and congestion at most airports has eased.

"So there could be a case for a review of the earlier decision," sources said.