Musicians fear new airline rules

The British Musicians’ Union said Tuesday that rules introduced this month after a suspected plot to blow up aircraft between Britain and the United States could have a “devastating impact” on musicians, who are being forced to put delicate and valuable instruments into aircraft holds.

“Many artists, who generate significant income when working abroad, are having their livelihoods threatened by being unable to take their instruments onto an aircraft as hand luggage,” said the union’s assistant general secretary, Horace Trubridge.

Russia’s Bolshoi orchestra, in Britain when new restrictions were imposed, considered trucking its instruments home but finally stowed them on the plane as luggage when the group left Sunday, said tour spokeswoman Faith Wilson.

“It’s a problem for all visiting orchestras, whether they are coming or going into this country,” Wilson said.