DGCA nixes airlines' proposal to charge for check-in baggage

In a relief to fliers, the civil aviation regulator DGCA has rejected the plea of some airlines to allow them to charge for the check-in baggage saying such a fee would be applicable only on baggage which exceeds the free limit of 15 kgs.

Check-in baggage charges (above 15 kgs of free check-in baggage allowance) can be charged separately on opt-in basis as part of the unbundling of services, the DGCA said in an air transport circular.

The DGCA circular came days after the government asked it not to accept a proposal by three budget airlines -- IndiGo, AirAsia India and SpiceJet -- to allow them charge for the check-in baggage.

These carriers had approached the regulator with the idea of "zero bag fare", whereby passengers having no check-in luggage would be given a discount on the ticket.

In April this year, DGCA had allowed domestic carriers to unbundle their services and charge separately for facilities such as preferred seats, meals on board and use of lounges.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation has late last month said that he had asked the DGCA to nix the proposals of these airlines as such a move would put additional burden on passengers besides dampening the air traffic growth.

"Air Travel in India is likely to see a growth as more middle class Indians are expected to take to air travel. And if they have to shell out even for one kg of check-in baggage, it will discourage them," Sharma had said.