Ryanair to seek compensation

Budget airline Ryanair will give details of possible legal action against the Government over losses incurred through the new anti-terror airport regulations.

An initiative "to keep Britain flying" is also set to be launched by Michael O'Leary, the Irish no-frills carrier's chief executive.

Mr O'Leary, whose airline has had to cancel dozens of flights at the height of the security crisis, has been highly critical of the new baggage rules, describing them as "nonsensical".

It is believed that Ryanair has been trying to get other airlines to join in the fight for compensation.

Ryanair has been particularly critical of airport operator BAA's arrangements at Stansted, accusing the company of not having enough staff on duty.

The airline's website said: "We continue to call on the UK Government to lead the process of returning normality to London's airports by addressing the root causes of the problems.

"If the Government insists on doubling the number of security checks, then they must send in extra army or police personnel to help the BAA to carry out these checks."

Ryanair went on: "Why is the Government allowing large briefcases to be carried on board as 'safe', but ruling that the normal size carry-on case is still unsafe? This rule is nonsensical and should be rescinded.

"If liquids, cosmetics and passenger luggage are really a threat to passenger safety at airports, the Government should also ban these items from being carried on potential targets such as the London Underground and Eurotunnnel.

"Ryanair continues to urge the UK Government to defeat these extremists by returning UK air travel to normal, as they successfully did on the London Underground.