2012 News Milestone No. 9

Musicians’ Federation Asks Europe to 
Standardize Musical Instrument Policies
While U.S. legislation passed in February created uniform carry-on baggage rules for musical instruments on airplanes, the inconsistency of international regulations prompted a summer campaign by musicians seeking similar policy  egulations across Europe.

At issue: The uncertainty can be nerve-wracking. Even armed with assurances that an instrument can be stored in the overhead bin, or in the case of cellists that a paid-for second seat will be provided, there’s no real guarantee all will go smoothly. If a large aircraft is replaced by a smaller one, or if a flight attendant simply has a different interpretation of policy, a musician can be left in the lurch. The alternative is often stowing an instrument in the hold, where it can be damaged. Cellist Paul Katz related a harrowing tale in August about having to stow his 1669 Andrea Guarneri.

Current status: Though international musicians amassed 41,000 names on their petition for revised musical instrument regulations, the response they received from European transport commissioner Siim Kallas in July 2012 stopped short of promised action. Meanwhile, a customs contretemps in Frankfurt sparked a global outcry: In August 2012 Belgium-based violinist Yuzuko Horigome had her $1.2 million 1741 Guarnerius confiscated in a routine transfer through Frankfurt Airport, where customs officials demanded nearly $500,000 in duty and fines because she could not provide documentation of her 1986 purchase. She eventually got her fiddle back, but it took a month and anxiety among flying musicians remains sky high.

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