Back in May 2020, when domestic flights were resuming in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had rolled out a strict SoP (standard operating procedure) stating that the passengers will not be allowed to carry more than one check-in baggage. Adding to that, the check-in baggage should not exceed the 20Kg mark. This was increased from the initial 15Kg free check-in baggage limit that most of the airlines provided its customers pre-COVID19. This meant that there would be a reduction in the revenues of already struggling and cash-strapped airlines. But that rule has been lifted now.
Airlines to Reduce Check-in Baggage Limit to 15Kg
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has changed rules regarding check-in baggage. The ministry has said that now airlines can reduce the check-in baggage limit to their old 15Kg mark. This might help the airlines in growing their ancillary revenue.
In a notice on September 23, Ministry of Civil aviation wrote, “Considering the convenience of the passengers, it has been decided to amend the existing provision in this regard, as follows: Baggage limitation would be as per the airline policies.”
A representative from SpiceJet has confirmed that the airline will be looking to reduce the check-in luggage limit of the passengers back to its 15Kg. Not only SpiceJet, but Vistara will also be looking to do the same. Vistara will be bringing this change later this month on September 28.
This is certainly going to help the airlines. Even if it would make a very small difference in the gross and net revenues, the cash-strapped airlines will take anything help they can get at the moment.
As from the perspective of the customers, it won’t be a very hard change. This is because passengers are used to the free limit of 15kg check-in luggage with most of the domestic airlines in India so things wouldn’t be that bad. More airlines such as IndiGo and GoAir should follow up looking at SpiceJet and Vistara.
