The MU has been lobbying on the issue for many years, arguing that musicians regularly have problems taking their instruments on planes due to inconsistent policies from airlines and extortionate fees.

In 2006 the body reached an agreement with the Department for Transport which would have alleviated the problem, but says "some airlines continued to set their own arbitrary rules".

MU General Secretary John Smith said: "We call on the UK Government to consider introducing a similar Act regarding instruments ...