Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has said today that some UK airports may be able to lift the ban on more than one item of hand luggage by January. She also hinted at a relaxation of the rules on laptop screening in order to speed up security.

In a speech to the Airport Operators Association today, Kelly said: “Simply lifting the one-bag rule at all UK airports now would not be sensible. Too many airports have still not got the necessary screening capacity in place to maintain appropriate security standards.”

She added: “Yet waiting until every airport is ready to adopt the new regime would penalise passengers using the rest of the network. I am not prepared to move at the pace of the slowest. Our approach is designed to make maximum use of extra capacity as it becomes available, so we can pass the benefits on to the passenger as quickly as possible.”

The Transport Secretary said that if airports submit suitable plans to its security arm Transec, they may be able to lift the ban on more than one bag from 7 January.

“Transec will need to be assured that airports have proved their ability to handle the extra capacity safely and securely before approving any plan,” she said. “But because airports are so busy at Christmas - and because it's a time when the priority must be to focus on your core operations - we won't change the regime before the New Year.”

She said she expects all UK airports to submit plans “over the next few months”

Kelly also added that restrictions on liquids are unlikely to be lifted. “The methods of attack that came to light last year are still available to terrorists. And so the restrictions on liquids will remain for the foreseeable future - initially in their current form, but evolving as new technologies and procedures allow.

“We will work with our EU partners and the European Commission where process changes that can free up capacity will require change to European regulations - for example on the system for screening of laptops, which I know is a matter of great concern for airports and passengers alike,” she said.