Reminder: Dubai Airport’s new baggage rules go into effect today…

Travellers passing through Dubai International Airport must comply with strict new baggage regulations from today.

The airport will no longer accept any oversized, round or lumpy bags. Placing bags on the conveyor that are bound together is also a no-no.

Only bags that have a flat surface will be checked in.

Here is what acceptable bags should look like (graphic provided by Dubai Airports):

And these are unacceptable bags:

Why is your favourite old giant duffel bag no longer allowed? Well, apparently because they get stuck in the baggage system, which can break the machine and cause flight delays.

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“Dubai International provides some of the most sophisticated baggage systems in the world,” said Ali Angizeh, vice-president of terminal operations.

“However, even the most technologically advanced systems can be disrupted by irregular shaped or oversized bags. Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are by far the largest source of baggage jams.

“These jams can shut down sections of our system, delay baggage delivery to the aircraft and inconvenience our customers.”

All airlines that fly into DXB have been notified of the new rules.

Any passengers whose bags do not meet the requirements will be stopped at the counter, and given the option of having their gear repacked in boxes for fee.

Covering a surface area the equivalent of 75 football fields, DXB’s baggage handling system is one of the largest in the world (so you can understand why they’re keen to speed things up a bit).

For more information about baggage rules, check out the Dubai Airports website.

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