Now, lower airfare if no check-in luggage

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 26

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an order asking airlines to offer concession on air fare to passengers who do not carry check-in luggage. The move is seen as a step towards making flying more affordable and accessible to passengers. According to the current rules, passengers are permitted to carry up to 7-kg cabin baggage and 15-kg check-in baggage.

The DGCA has said if a passenger with a discount ticket turns up with baggage, “he/she will be charged as applicable”.

“Scheduled airlines will be allowed to offer free baggage allowance as well as ‘zero baggage/no check-in baggage’ fares,” it said. This would 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 he turns up with the baggage at the time of check-in,” it added.

The DGCA has also allowed unbundling of other services, including preferential seating, meal-snack-drink, sports equipment and musical instrument charge etc.

“Considering the fact that unbundling of services has the potential to make basic fare more affordable, it has been decided to allow these services to be charged separately on opt-in basis,” the aviation regulator said.