Discount for fliers without check-in baggage

Fliers travelling without check-in baggage may soon get tickets at lower prices than others with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) now allowing domestic airlines to roll out “zero bag” fares.

But they will have to pay penalty if they change their mind and carry check-in luggage after booking a ticket under such scheme. “Airlines are allowed to offer ‘no check-in baggage/hand baggage only’ fare scheme subject to the condition that the penalty to be imposed on a passenger, who avails such schemes but turns up with baggage for check-in at airline counter, cannot exceed the amount of incentive offered compared to lowest fare,” according to a DGCA order on unbundling of services and fees by scheduled airlines.

According to the DGCA, many a time services provided by airlines may not be required by the passengers while travelling. Such unbundling is done considering the fact that unbundling of services and charges has the potential to make basic fare more affordable and provides consumer an option of paying for the services that he wishes to avail. All domestic private airlines allow a flyer to carry up to 15 kg of check-in baggage free of cost while Air India allows 23 kg of check-in baggage without paying extra.

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet was the first to roll out such a scheme in June this year. The airline offered a discount of Rs 200 to every passenger who books a flight with only one handbag and no check-in baggage but those who change their mind would have to pay a penalty of Rs 500 for up to 10 kg and Rs 750 for up to 15 kg baggage.

As part of the unbundling of services, domestic airlines were allowed to charge from the customers for various facilities such as preferred seats, check-in baggage charges and use of lounges, by the regulator in April, 2015. Airlines had earlier approached the DGCA asking them to allow them to charge whole check-in baggage. However, the DGCA rejected the proposal and allowed fliers to carry 15 kg of their check-in baggage for free of cost.