To secure containers in a cargo bay of an aircraft, locking elements are known comprising locking lugs which can move from a locked position to a rest position. The locking lugs engage in engagement recesses of freight items. On movement of the locking lugs from the locked position to the rest position, the locking lugs can seize in the engagement recesses. A locking element is proposed to which a pair of locking lugs is allocated which in the locked position each have a stop surface which can be brought into engagement on a stop edge of the engagement recess, wherein the locking lugs are mounted mobile such that on movement from the locked position to a rest position, the two stop surfaces separate from the stop edges. As a result the space required in the holding direction for the locking lugs and the risk of seizing of the locking lugs in the engagement recess are substantially reduced.