Ryanair has said it will bring in the new free cabin baggage allowance “over the coming weeks”.

Budget airline Ryanair has announced it will increase the size of its free cabin bag allowance by 20 per cent.

It comes after European lawmakers voted to adopt a proposal that will regulate the dimensions of hand luggage that air passengers can take on board at no additional cost.

Under the new rules, travellers taking a flight in the EU would have the right to carry a personal bag, such as a handbag or rucksack, and a small hand luggage item on board at no extra cost.

It standardises the maximum dimensions of personal bags to 40 x 30 x 15 centimetres, and hand luggage items to a maximum size of 100cm and a weight of 7kg.

The proposed law still needs to get approval from 55 per cent of EU member states, which may see modifications made to the ruling. If it is adopted following negotiations starting this month, the new rules would extend to all flights within the EU. (Euronews)