Air India and Air India Express Implement Stricter Hand Baggage Rules

Strategic Insights -

Several Indians in the UAE have reacted strongly to Air India and Air India Express's decision to implement stricter hand baggage rules, with some criticizing the move during peak summer travel time. From tomorrow, the airlines will strictly restrict free allowance for hand baggage, including duty-free items, to 8kg for Air India and 7kg for Air India Express. Cabin baggage will be weighed at the gates, and passengers will be charged Dh60 for every kilogram in excess. Airlines claim the move will discourage passengers from carrying excessive baggage on board.

Key Takeaways:

  • Air India and Air India Express will strictly restrict free allowance for hand baggage to 8kg and 7kg, respectively, starting from tomorrow.
  • Cabin baggage will be weighed at the gates, and passengers will be charged Dh60 for every kilogram in excess.
  • The airlines claim the move will reduce the load on planes and improve aircraft safety.
  • Passengers can check in excess baggage and pay a lower fee than the gate fee.
  • Air India Express has already increased the free allowance for checked baggage from 20kgs to 30kgs throughout the year.
  • The new rule applies to all passengers, including those who have booked their tickets for July.

Statistics:

  • 8kg and 7kg are the new limits for free hand baggage allowance for Air India and Air India Express, respectively.
  • Dh60 is the fee per kilogram of excess baggage charged at the gate.
  • 20kgs and 30kgs are the new limits for checked baggage free allowance for Air India Express, up from 20kgs.
  • The airlines will charge passengers Dh60 for every kilogram in excess baggage at the gate.

Sources:

  • "Air India, Air India Express to charge for excess cabin baggage" - Khaleej Times (no date available)

+ Original text:

+ "Air India, Air India Express to charge for excess cabin baggage" - Khaleej Times

  • Twitter and Facebook comments by various passengers, including Yasser bin Ali, Thangamani, Mohammed Imtiyaz, and others, quoted in the article.