How did you arrive at Rs 100/ kg for excess baggage: HC to DGCA

“Has the government carried out any exercise to determine how much it would cost the airlines due to excess baggage? How have you arrived at this figure of Rs 100,” Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked while hearing a plea of the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which has challenged the DGCA’s circular, fixing the charge for excess baggage weighing 15-20 kg.

As per the new regulation effective from July 1, airlines have been asked to charge Rs 100/kg extra till 20 kg against their current rates of Rs 220-350.

At present, all domestic carriers allow free checked-in baggage up to 15 kg. Only Air India allows free baggage up to 23 kg.

Additional Solicitor General PS Patwalia, appearing for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA, told the court that the government had the interests of consumers in mind and the decision was taken as numerous complaints were received from passengers about high excess baggage fees.