Touring musicians have long faced unpredictable rules, fees and careless handling when travelling with their instruments, sometimes risking damage to instruments worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. A new agreement with Heathrow Airport, however, aims to address these concerns and could provide a model for wider change.
Following complaints from Musicians’ Union (MU) members over new security scanners and mishandled instruments at Heathrow, the airport has agreed to follow guidelines ensuring that instruments are treated with care. Instruments that cannot safely pass through scanners will now be inspected under the supervision of their owners whenever possible, while security staff minimise handling and respect the value of the instruments.
The move addresses concerns raised by musicians such as London-based double bassist Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli, who has petitioned for EU-wide rules for instrument travel, citing unpredictable fees and arbitrary restrictions. Similar frustrations were reported by violist Daniel Cubero, who recently spent more than ten hours at Barcelona airport negotiating with British Airways staff after being refused boarding with his viola case.
The MU said the agreement is a welcome first step but stressed that broader protections are needed for international travel, ensuring musicians can transport their instruments safely and reliably without fear of damage, delay or arbitrary fees.
To sign Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli’s petition, visit
