Earlier this year, low-cost carrier SpiceJet had started offering a discount of Rs 200 on limited routes to passengers travelling with hand luggage alone.

Airlines can now impose a penalty on passengers turning up with check-in baggage after availing ‘zero-bag’ discount fares.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had issued a circular earlier this week, clarifying the penalty amount against check-in baggage for tickets booked under such an offer.

“Airlines are allowed to offer ‘no check-in baggage/hand baggage only’ fare scheme, subject to the condition that the penalty to be imposed on a passenger, who avails such schemes but turns up with baggage for check-in at airline counter, cannot exceed the amount of incentive offered compared with the lowest fare,” DGCA said, in its updated air transport circular for unbundling of services dated November 8.

At present, airlines allow passengers to carry up to 15 kg of check-in baggage gratis, except Air India, which allows fliers to carry up to 23 kg of free check-in baggage.

Earlier this year, low-cost carrier SpiceJet had started offering a discount of Rs 200 on limited routes to passengers travelling with hand luggage alone.

However, there were instances when passengers would carry check-in luggage at the airport after booking discount fares through ‘zero-bag’ allowance.

The Gurgaon-based airline imposed penalty of Rs 500 on such passengers carrying up to 10 kg and Rs 750 for up to 15 kg of luggage.

However, in August, after DGCA’s intervention, SpiceJet had to reduce the total penalty amount to Rs 400.

“We welcome this customer and environment-friendly move, which is in line with the changing trends in the sector,” SpiceJet’s head of administration and accountable manager G P Gupta told news agency PTI.

Three low-cost carriers -- AirAsia, IndiGo and SpiceJet -- had earlier approached the regulator to allow them to offer ‘zero-bag fare’, offering discount on no check-in luggage.

In 2013, DGCA had allowed airlines to unbundle services and charge passengers separately for services such as onboard meals, use of lounge, preferred seats and check-in luggage.

TAKING THE LOAD OFF EXCESS BAGGAGE

• As part of the unbundling of services, DGCA had allowed domestic airlines to charge customers for various facilities such as preferred seats, check-in baggage charges and use of lounges
• In an air transport circular in July, which has now been superseded by the latest circular, the DGCA had said check-in baggage charges (above 15 kg of free check-in baggage allowance) can be charged separately on opt-in basis
• Three domestic carriers -- IndiGo, SpiceJet and AirAsia India -- had earlier approached the regulator with the ‘zero-bag fare’, offering discount on no check-in luggage
• Budget carrier SpiceJet, which had first rolled out such a scheme in June this year, said the regulator's move is in line with the changing trends in the sector

The image is used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Reuters