Two days after the Delhi High Court set aside capping of fee for excess checked-in baggage on private airlines, budget passenger carrier SpiceJet today hiked its fee on excess checked-in baggage by as much as 185 per cent. The airline said that it has increased its charges to Rs 1,425 from Rs 500 for 5 kg of excess baggage above the free 15 kg currently allowed per passenger.
The court had on Wednesday set aside the Rs 100 per kg fee cap fixed by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for excess checked-in baggage of 15-20 kg.
As per the DGCA circular, issued in June 2016, private airlines were directed to charge only Rs 100 per extra kg till 20 kg as against their earlier rates, ranging from Rs 220 to Rs 350. The circular had come into effect from July 1 last year as the court had not stayed it or deferred the date of implementation.
The DGCA in its circular had said that the airlines would be free to charge any fee beyond 20 kg of excess baggage. Currently, all domestic carriers allow free checked-in baggage up to 15 kg. Only Air India allows free baggage up to 23 kg.
