Baggage charges will become cheaper for fliers who fly light. Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed carriers to roll out ‘zero baggage’ fares, which will bring down the cost of tickets booked under ‘zero baggage’. The reduction in ticket prices is not specified and carriers are free to fix it; however, ticket prices are likely to come down by at least a couple of percentage points.
The regulator has taken into consideration that
flyers would not flout the rule — if travellers carry check-in baggage despite booking tickets under zero baggage, they will have to pay a penalty.
At present, all private carriers allow up to 15 kg of check-in baggage at no additional charges. Baggage exceeding that weight are charged on a per-kg basis, and varies from airline to airline. Air India, however, allows up to 23 kg of free baggage.
Low-cost, no-frill carrier SpiceJet was the first to roll out the ‘zero baggage’ fare, where it offered a discount of R200 to every passenger booking under this scheme. Carrying a laptop or one handbag will not be charged under the ‘zero baggage’ scheme. But there is a caveat — anyone who carries baggage after booking under the scheme has to pay a fine of R500 for up to 10 kg, and up to R750 up to 15 kg.
The new aviation circular came as an outcome of a meeting between domestic carriers, IndiGo, SpiceJet and AirAsia and the regulator in June. In April, 2015 the regulator had allowed unbundling services like baggage, on-board meals, preferred seats, use of lounge and other such additional services.
Airlines expect a boost in revenue and higher traction once the unbundling is in full form, said experts. Also, experts said that baggage processing and handling is an additional cost for the airlines, and if a passenger does not carry any baggage, he should be given benefits for travelling light.