<p>The Centre on Saturday said it has rejected budget airlines SpiceJet, Indigo and AirAsia's plea to allow them to charge for check-in baggage.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The private airlines had approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) seeking permission to collect charges for check-in baggage. <br /><br />The government has not accepted the request at this stage, as it would put additional burden on passengers, said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma. <br /><br />“We got the proposal from low-cost carriers to let them charge for check-in baggage. We rejected it, and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry-level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers,” Sharma told a TV news channel.<br /><br />“Such a move, if allowed, would be a dampener on air traffic growth in India. I have asked the DGCA not to consider the proposal at this stage. Air travel in India is likely to see a growth as more middle-class Indians are expected to take to it. If they have to shell out even for 1 kg of check-in (baggage), it will discourage them,” said the minister.<br /><br />“I want the airline to continue with the present system (of allowing up to 15 kg free check-in baggage) and at the same time provide incentives to those who travel light.”<br /><br />However, he added that his ministry has asked airlines to send a detailed proposal on the issue, and if it is found in the interest of passengers, it may be considered.<br /></p>
<p>The Centre on Saturday said it has rejected budget airlines SpiceJet, Indigo and AirAsia's plea to allow them to charge for check-in baggage.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The private airlines had approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) seeking permission to collect charges for check-in baggage. <br /><br />The government has not accepted the request at this stage, as it would put additional burden on passengers, said Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma. <br /><br />“We got the proposal from low-cost carriers to let them charge for check-in baggage. We rejected it, and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry-level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers,” Sharma told a TV news channel.<br /><br />“Such a move, if allowed, would be a dampener on air traffic growth in India. I have asked the DGCA not to consider the proposal at this stage. Air travel in India is likely to see a growth as more middle-class Indians are expected to take to it. If they have to shell out even for 1 kg of check-in (baggage), it will discourage them,” said the minister.<br /><br />“I want the airline to continue with the present system (of allowing up to 15 kg free check-in baggage) and at the same time provide incentives to those who travel light.”<br /><br />However, he added that his ministry has asked airlines to send a detailed proposal on the issue, and if it is found in the interest of passengers, it may be considered.<br /></p>