Business
Air India enforces stricter baggage rules in UAE
Dubai, June 29
Passengers travelling by Air
India and Air India Express from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would
face stricter rules on hand baggage from July 1.
"The free
allowance for hand luggage would be restricted to eight kg on Air India
and seven kg on Air India Express, inclusive of duty free items,"
Khaleej Times reported on Sunday.
"If the baggage weighs more
than the free allowance, a fee of 60 Dirhams ($16) per excess kilo would
be charged at the gate," said Prem Sagar, manager of Air India and Air
India Express in Dubai and Sharjah.
"Most other airlines flying to India have already been charging excess baggage at the gates."
"Passenger
hand baggage is assumed to be around seven to eight kilos whereas
people sometimes carry 10-15 kg extra. An aircraft overweighed by two
tonnes is not good for the aircraft's safety."
So far, UAE
passengers flying on India's national carrier and its budget airline
have enjoyed the luxury of carrying duty free items beyond the free
allowance of hand baggage.
However, very often this went up to several kg and became a concern in overloading the aircraft.