BA has loaded ‘Hand Baggage only’ fares for select destination from Heathrow and London City. The routes involved are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam and Stockholm.

They offer up to £10 off the standard price. However, if a bag is subsequently checked this can incur a charge of £20-£40.

At the same time there are reports that all short haul, hand baggage only passengers at Terminal 5 will have to have their passport checked before proceeding through security. This is going to create a delay as passengers verify their passports at check-in machines or desks.