Govt reduces excess checked-in baggage fee for fliers effective July 1

Starting from Friday, 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 government had announced the reduced rates earlier last month and was initially scheduled to come into effect from June 15.  

However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the implementation date to July 1 after airline companies sought more time to upgrade their system. 

At present, all domestic airlines allow free checked-in baggage up to 15 kilogramme (kg). For baggage weight above 15 kg, they charge Rs 300 per extra kg. Only a government-run air carrier 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,"  PTI reported on Thursday quoting DGCA as saying. 

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, the news agency said. 

Reacting to this development, stocks of leading airline companies were trading in the downward movement in the opening trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Friday. 

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At 09:23 hours, the stock of Jet Airways was trading down 0.69% or Rs 3.85 at Rs 551.90 on the BSE.

At 09:23 hours, the shares of InterGlobe Aviation were trading down 0.21% or Rs 2.10 at Rs 1,010.10 per scrip on the exchange. 

At 09:23 hours, the stock of SpiceJet was trading down 0.77% or Rs 0.50 at Rs 64.40 on the BSE.