DGCA cracks the whip on extra fees on passenger baggage

New Delhi: In a first such move, India's civil aviation regulator has moved against a scalping operation practised for long by foreign airlines which charge astronomically high fees from US-bound passengers for checking in an additional bag.

Last year, US airlines began charging for a second bag checked in by passengers as against the earlier practise of allowing US-bound economy class passengers to check in two bags of up to 23kg each. The new practice was immediately picked up by European carriers as well, as a result of which passengers may now end up paying anywhere between Rs4,000 to Rs20,000 extra for a one-way passage.

Asking the US and European airlines to revert to the old practice of allowing two bags with weight limit the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked these airlines to respond to its order by month-end.

"This anti-passenger policy of some airlines will not be allowed to continue. The matter is being taken up under the existing air service agreements India has with countries (whose airlines have started levying the fee)," DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan said.

Indian carriers flying to North America still allow two check-in bags.

Passengers have been shocked by the extent of the scalping going on. According to industry sources, leading European airlines allow economy passengers to check-in one bag of up to 23kg but will charge150 euros for the second bag for each flight. According to industry sources, a return trip with two check-in bags will cost double the amount - almost the price of the ticket itself.

The lame excuse being offered by foreign airlines is that levying a fee on check-in bags was one among several steps taken to raise cash flow during the 2008 slowdown. There is no explanation as to why such scalping should continue well into 2011.