Now, IndiGo hikes excess baggage charges by 33%

A week after private carrier Jet Airways released a new baggage policy, low-cost carrier Interglobe Aviation (IndiGo) increased excess baggage charges domestically. The hike is known to be over 33% for passengers carrying more than 15 kg check-in-baggage on domestic flights with immediate effect. The IndiGo charges are levied on prepaid excess baggage in the range of 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg and 30 kg. 

A customer’s luggage, if it goes excess by up to 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg and 30 kg, will now require a payment of Rs 1,900, Rs 3,800, Rs 5,700 and Rs 11,400. Earlier in the month of August last year, charges were hiked to Rs 1425, Rs 2850, Rs 4,275 and Rs 8550 for prepaid excess luggage of  5, 10, 15 and 30 kg. 

The new rules of IndiGo also say, “If customers who are booked on Lite Fare report at the airport with baggage to be checked-in, then they will have to pay Rs 200 to avail 15 kg baggage allowance. Those who haven’t pre-booked their baggage will now have to spend Rs 400/kg if the weight exceeds the 15 kg mark. 

In August last year, the Delhi High Court had set aside a DGCA circular regulating the cost of excess baggage. The court order allowed the airlines the freedom to set the cost of excess baggage after which a number of carriers including IndiGo had hiked the charges for excess baggage. 

IndiGo’s decision to hike charges for excess baggage is expected to force other carriers to follow suit. Jet fuel prices have risen 40% from January 2017 till last month, putting severe strain on airlines.