Despite the government nixing the budget carriers’ proposal to charge for check-in baggage, SpiceJet today offered a discount for “zero bag” passengers on its domestic flights.
The airline, however, said that those who book tickets at discounted fares but later decide to check-in luggage would have to pay a fee of ₹500 for up to 10 kg and ₹750 for up to 15 kg baggage.
Last week, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma had asked aviation regulator DGCA not to accept a plea by three no-frills carriers — IndiGo, AirAsia India and SpiceJet — to charge from their passengers for check-in baggage. The government is not in favour of putting this burden on the passengers.
This was contested by the airline on the grounds that such a provision is already in place since March this year.
At present, a flyer is allowed to carry up to 15 kg check-in baggage without any cost.
Under the new fare, passengers with hand baggage only and who book tickets at least 30 days in advance, will pay ₹200 less than the normal SpiceSaver fare per one-way flight. For a round trip the discount can be as high as ₹1,000, the release said.
Hand-baggage allowance, however, remains the same as before.