Korean Air and Asiana announced Thursday that carry-on luggage would be strictly limited to one piece per passenger, which must be no larger than 55x40x20cm and weigh less than 10kg, on all international flights. Briefcases, laptop cases and pocketbooks will be excluded from the restriction.

However, for the passengers’ convenience, metal forks, which had been banned after the terrorist attacks on US cities, will return to the plates of on-board meals, however, metal knives will remain banned, and use of silverware will be still prohibited in restaurants and airline lounges within the CIQ (Custom/Inspection/Quarantine) area of Incheon International Airport (IIA).

In addition, IIA announced that it would expand the inspection of carry-on luggage at boarding gates, which has been conducted on all US-bound flights since the breakout of the US-led retaliatory war against terrorism, to all international flights. While the inspection is for all passengers on flights to US cities, a random 20% will be selected for searches on other routes.

IIA also reminded passengers that in addition to explosive materials such as cooking fuels and spray products, golf clubs, fishing rods, toy guns, and batteries would be banned from being carried on board.

(Choi Hong-ryeol, hrchoi@chosun )