Lion Air begins charging for checked bags

Bags will no longer fly free with Indonesia’s largest budget carrier Lion Air. Lion Air and regional unit Wings Air will now be charging for checked baggage on all domestic routes. Carry-on bags up to 7kg in weight as well as a second personal item such as a laptop bag will be allowed in the cabin. An Indonesian lawmaker has called on the airline to suspend the new policy as it has been brought in at the last minute. It was announced just a few days before taking effect. “It is harmful to the public because there is no information dissemination on the issues yet, but suddenly both airlines will implement it,” said Fary Djemi Francis, the chairman of the House of Representatives Commission V. “Consumers will need some time to adjust. It means the dissemination should be extended to minimize all risks.” Passengers are advised to pre-pay for checked baggage when they buy their tickets or up to six hours before departure. “Both Lion Air and Wings Air will no longer accept free checked baggage of up to 20 kg and 10 kg respectively,” said Lion Air Group spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro.