The Indian government has rejected the latest calls from airlines to allow them to charge for every kilo of checked in baggage.
Calling it an extra ‘burden’ for passengers, the Minister for civil aviation Mahesh Sharma said the existing regulations would continue which allows for 15kg of free checked baggage per passenger.
"We have the proposal from low-cost carriers to charge for check-in baggage. We have rejected it and there will be no consideration at the aviation ministry level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers," Sharma said.
There has been renewed pressure from Indian carriers recently to try to change the rules to allow them to boost revenue with bag fees.
Currently they can only charge passengers for excess baggage fees above the 15kg limit.
SpiceJet, Indigo and AirAsia India had all lobbied the Directorate general of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a rule change.
"I have asked the DGCA not to consider the proposal at this stage. 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 1kg of check-in baggage it will discourage them," the minister added.
"I want the airlines to continue with the present system and, at the same time, provide incentives to flyers who travel light."
The three airlines had earlier proposed a ‘zero baggage fare’ which would give passengers a discount for travelling without checked baggage.
Sharma said his ministry hasn’t completely ruled out the proposal and may reconsider if it finds favour with passengers.
The DGCA has only recently permitted the ‘unbundling’ of domestic fares, allowing airline to charge separately for some services such as preferred seating and lounge access.
