A large section of air passengers are likely to spend more on travel as Jet Airways, the leading domestic carrier in India on Monday increased its excess baggage charges by Rs50 per kg.
The airline and its low cost subsidiary Jetlite together cater to more than one-fourth domestic passengers in the country.
Until March 11, the airline charged Rs150 for every additional kilogram of baggage. The move has upset frequent fliers as airfares have already increased by around 15% over the past two months.
“If the leading airline hikes charges such as excess baggage, there are chances the rest of the industry will soon follow,” said Sunek Nair, a frequent flier.
The airline blamed rising jet fuel costs for the revision in fares. “The revision in excess baggage charges is on account of the recent increase in aviation turbine fuel prices, as baggage weight directly contributes to fuel burn,” said a Jet Airways spokesperson. But passengers complained that the airline should inform passengers about changes that affect fliers’ pockets.
Worst hit could be international passengers who take connecting flights after arriving in India. “Indians returning from foreign holidays or even business trips usually arrive with excess baggage. The new rule will hit them badly,” said a Jet Airways official requesting anonymity. The official added that the airline generated revenues approximately worth Rs1 crore solely from excess baggage charges in Mumbai last month.
{{/usCountry}}Worst hit could be international passengers who take connecting flights after arriving in India. “Indians returning from foreign holidays or even business trips usually arrive with excess baggage. The new rule will hit them badly,” said a Jet Airways official requesting anonymity. The official added that the airline generated revenues approximately worth Rs1 crore solely from excess baggage charges in Mumbai last month.
{{/usCountry}}While aviation experts condemned the move, they said that unfriendly government policies are to be blamed for the state of the aviation sector. “This will certainly hurt passengers but until the government cuts down taxes, airlines can either pass on the expenditure on passengers or shut shop,” said Milan Zatakia, national vice president of the Air Passengers’ Association of India (APAI) a fliers’ body.