Pay less airfare if less baggage: DGCA

Flight tickets to get cheaper if you don’t carry check-in baggage

New Delhi: In a big relief to the fliers who travel light, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the airlines to reduce their air fares if passengers do not have check-in baggage. The DGCA has, however, left to the airlines to decide the amount of concession in the air fare.

In a big relief to the fliers who travel light, the Director-General of Civil Aviation has asked the airlines to reduce their airfares if passengers do not have check-in baggage. The DGCA has, however, left to the airlines to decide the amount of concession in the airfare.

As per existing norms, a passenger is allowed to carry up to 7 kilograms of cabin baggage and 15 kilograms of check-in baggage, though Air India allows 25 kg in its domestic flights in economy class. Any additional weight is chargeable by all airlines.

"On the basis of various feedback received, it is felt that many times the 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 provide the consumer an option of paying for the services which he/she wishes to avail, it has been decided by the government to allow these services to be unbundled and charged separately on an opt-in basis," the DGCA circular said.

In order to avail the discount, passengers will have to declare at the time of the booking of the ticket the weight of baggage they will be carrying.

"As part of 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 the 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," the circular said.