Good news! Air travellers to pay less for excess checked-in baggage from today

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: From July 1 onwards, fliers will be required to shell out lesser money for excess checked-in baggage up to a certain limit as the revised fee structure comes into effect.

Under the new tariff regime, only Rs 100 would be charged per additional kilogramme of checked-in baggage up to a certain level compared to the existing charge of Rs 300 per kg.

The reduced rates, announced by the government earlier this month, were initially scheduled to come into force from June 15. However, the implementation date was extended to July 1 by aviation regulator DGCA after airlines sought more time to upgrade their system.

Currently, all domestic airlines allow free checked-in baggage up to 15 kg. Beyond that, they charge Rs 300 per extra kg. Only Air India allows a free baggage of up to 23 kg.

"Airlines have been asked to keep variable checked-in baggage fare between 15-20 kg to benefit passengers who carry checked-in baggage in excess of 15 kg but less than 20 kg," DGCA had said.

Carriers would be free to charge any fee on the baggage weighing beyond 20 kg.

On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to stay DGCA's decision to lower the fee structure for excess checked-in baggage carried by fliers.