Northwest says it too may charge for all checked luggage
24 May 2008
Hard on the heels of American Airlines announcing its intention to charge passengers for all checked bags, it is the turn of Northwest Airlines Corp to consider charging passengers for all checked luggage. A spokesman for the Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest said Friday that "all options are on the table ... but no decision has been reached yet."
American's announcement, that it would charge passengers $15 for their first checked bag, breaks a long-held industry custom. The rising price of oil, which has roughly doubled in the past 12 months, is forcing airlines to look for alternative ways to raise revenues and also save on costs.
Oil prices crossed $135 a barrel during the week before staging a small retreat. An economy in recessionary zone is also hurting airlines as passengers are now flying less.
