A recent incident at the Chandigarh airport has raised concerns about the accuracy of weighing machines used for luggage check-in. A passenger flying IndiGo from Chandigarh to Delhi noticed a discrepancy when the weight of his bag was measured at two different counters, with each scale showing a different reading for the same luggage.
The passenger initially suspected something was wrong because his bag felt lighter than the weight displayed on the scale. When he voiced his concerns to the IndiGo staff member, she suggested he try weighing his bag on a different belt. However, when he did so, the second scale showed yet another different reading, which further heightened his suspicions.
The passenger recorded the incident and shared it on social media, where it quickly went viral.
“Chandigarh Airport. 30th Jan, ’25. Around 16:00 hrs @indigo.6e Counter. Same Bag. Two counters. Two different weights. 2.3 KGs difference,” Daksh Sethi wrote on Instagram, along with the video.
He also added, “Can these machines be easily manipulated? I hope this is a rare case and a technical glitch. I generally felt that my bag wasn’t as heavy as it showed, so the lady at the counter asked me to check it on the other belt. And to my surprise, it showed a different number! These little things break our trust in the system. I hope this is taken up very seriously.”
The incident has sparked widespread concern among travelers, with many questioning the reliability of airport equipment and its potential impact on baggage handling and fees. One user commented, “This has happened with me and my husband almost 3 times in the last 5 years.” Another added, “Airports have been scamming us clearly!”
A third user shared their own experience: “I have gone through this. I travelled 4 airports on the same trip with the same luggage. On my way back, there was an increase of 12 kgs in total for my entire luggage. 3 items in total. It was just impossible. Forget shopping or adding more items; my bags should have had a weight reduction because things had been eliminated during the trip. Was travelling alone with a child to a different state, and it was quite the harassment.”
In response to the viral video, IndiGo issued a statement: “Hi, we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We’d like to inform you that the weighing machines are calibrated and certified by the airport operator at regular intervals. Be assured, we have shared your feedback with the relevant team. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you onboard again soon.”