South African Airways is set to crack down on hand luggage on-board all of its flights.

According to recent in-flight announcements, from 8 February the airline will strictly enforce long-standing hand luggage restrictions, saying that travellers need to adhere to weight restrictions "for comfort and above all to ensure safe operations".

?Baggage weight plays a critical role in the safe take-off and landing weight of an aircraft, amongst other weights, including fuel and cargo. Passengers will contribute greatly towards a safe journey by assisting us in adhering to the weight limitations,? says Tebogo Tsimane, SAA Head Airports Southern Africa.

Passengers flying in economy class are allowed only one piece of hand luggage ? this includes handbags or laptop cases ? weighing a maximum of eight kilograms. Passengers in business class are allowed two pieces of hand luggage up to eight kilograms each. The dimensions of each bag must not exceed 115cm.

SAA says it has implemented a number of measures at airports to ensure that passengers are complying with the hand baggage weight restrictions, and weighing scales have been placed at strategic security points to weigh hand luggage after check-in.

If a passenger's hand baggage weighs more than eight kilograms, or is in excess of the number of pieces allowed, they will be sent to check the bag in before proceeding to board.

?To avoid missing your flight, it is in each passenger?s interest to ensure they comply,? says Tsimane.

Ed's Note: I can understand the airline's need to ensure that passengers stick to weight and size restrictions, but at the same time we should also expect our checked luggage to arrive safely and undisturbed 100 percent of the time?

I regularly travel with a laptop, camera and other paraphernalia that clocks in over eight kilograms. With the present safety situation there is no way I'd check those valuables in... so what do I do?

SAA; if you want to force customers to hold up their end of the hand luggage bargain, you need to do the same when it comes to checked-in luggage security.

I've also asked the airline what the approach will be to duty-free purchases on international flights. Will these form part of the eight kilograms? If so, the duty-free shops are going to be hit hard...

What do you think? Post your comments below...