Airlines to Give Concessions to Passengers Who Carry No Baggage

NEW DELHI: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular which allows domestic airlines to give concessions in ticket prices to passengers who carry no baggage.

As per the current rules, a passenger can carry up to 7 kilograms of cabin baggage and 15 kilograms of check-in baggage. Any additional weight is chargeable.

However, the new rule by DGCA will allow the flight operators to provide tickets at lesser prices to those who choose to travel with no baggage or only with cabin baggage within the permissible weight limit.

Apart from the baggage charges, the aviation watchdog has also allowed unbundling of other services like preferential seating, meal-snack-drink charges, airline lounges, sports equipment charges and musical instrument charge etc.

The airfares so established by the airlines also include charges for some of the services rendered by them.

On the basis of various feedback received. it is felt that many a time these services provided by the airlines may not be required by the passengers while travelling Considering the fact that unbundling of services and charges thereto has the potential to make basic fare more affordable and provides the consumer with an option of paying for the services which he1she wishes to avail.

It has been decided by the Government to allow the following services to be unbundled and charged separately on an opt-in basis.

(i) Preferential seating

(ii) Meal/snack/drink charges (except drinking)

(iii) Charges for using airline lounges

(iv) Check-in baggage charges as part of the airline baggage policy scheduled airlines will be allowed to offer free baggage allowance as well as "Zero baggage/no check-in baggage fares' This will be subject to the condition that the passenger booking ticket under such fare scheme is made aware of the charges that shall be applicable if the passenger turns up with the baggage for check-in at airline counter These applicable charges shall be reasonable. prominently displayed to the passenger at the time of booking of a ticket and also to be printed on the ticket

(v) Sports equipment charges

(vi) Musical instrument carnage

(vii) Fee for special declaration of valuable baggage (allow for a higher unit on carrier liability)

Also Read: Assam Elections to be Held in 3 Phases; March 27, April 1 & April 6

Also Watch: MLA Suren Phukan's push for development in Digboi