A more restrictive baggage fee policy that was introduced recently by low-cost carriers is facing resistance in its implementation, especially after Lion Air and Wings Air started charging passengers for their baggage
on Jan. 8.

Earlier last week, the House of Representatives’ Commission V overseeing transportation called on the government to delay implementing the baggage fee policy and to review it given the many complaints from passengers.

The policy also triggered a domino effect that saw small businesses experience a sales drop, as travelers avoided buying snacks and souvenirs to avoid paying extra fees for their baggage.

Responding to the call, the Transportation Ministry began evaluating the issue and promised to improve the policy.

“We studied the paid baggage policy implemented by PT Lion Mentari Airlines and PT Wings Abadi Airlines after receiving advice from Commission V and we made several conclusions that need to be taken further,” Air Transportation Director General Polana B. Pramesti said on Friday.

From the evaluation, Polana said, the ministry found that passengers had been ill-informed about the rates of the baggage fee. Many had no idea about the online payment system and were still paying their baggage fees at the check-in counter under excess baggage ticket (EBT), which is more expensive.

The ministry also pointed out the lack of an online system to settle the baggage fee through Lion Air’s website either for a direct flight, transit flight or transfer flight.

“We hope the points from our evaluation can be addressed and put an end to the friction between passengers and airlines,” Polana said, adding that information about the baggage fee policy needed to be improved.

According to aviation observer and Ombudsman commissioner Alvin Lie, however, the airlines had done enough in disseminating the new policy.

He said the “no free baggage allowance” was a common practice in the global aviation industry and many airlines, especially budget airlines, charged a checked baggage fee. Many even charge extra fees for additional facilities, such as choosing or switching a seat.

The policy is not a new thing in the airline industry and it is okay for airlines to demand a fee for their services, he said.

“In Indonesia, however, I assume the resistance from passengers, if there is one, is just a form of surprise from those who usually enjoyed the service for free,” Alvin said, referring to the practice of airlines accepting up to 20 kilograms in checked baggage for free.

Low-cost carriers are allowed to impose baggage fees as stipulated in Transportation Ministerial Regulation No. 185/2015 on passenger service standards for economy class. The regulation states that no-frills service airlines such as Lion Air, Wings Air, Air Asia Indonesia and Citilink can impose fees on baggage.

So far, only Lion Air and Wings Air have implemented the baggage fee policy and charging passengers for their 20-kg and 10-kg suitcases, respectively.

Under the new policy, each passenger is still allowed to bring one cabin bag weighing a maximum of 7 kg and with dimensions not exceeding 40 centimeters by 30 cm by 20 cm for free. But checked baggage is subject to an additional fee, the rate of which depends on the route.

For Lion Air’s Jakarta-Bali route, for example, a 5-kg suitcase or bag will cost Rp 95,000 (US$6.81). Meanwhile, baggage weighing 10 kg, 15 kg and 20 kg are charged Rp 190,000, Rp 285,000 and Rp 380,000, respectively.

Such a policy is commonly applied by low-cost carriers around the world, including United Kingdom-based airline EasyJet, Flybe and JetBlue, Ireland’s Ryan Air, Spain-based Vueling Air and Australia’s Jetstar.

EasyJet, for example, only allows one cabin baggage or bags measuring 56 cm by 45 cm by 25 cm for free, but charges for checked baggage with a rate that is different from one flight to another, depending on the route and time of booking.

For a standard fare ticket, which is also the cheapest, a 15-kg checked bag, for example, can cost between 6.99 pounds ($9.15) and 33.49 pounds, while 23 kg bags are charged between 9.49 pounds and 35.99 pounds. Passengers can add weight, up to 32 kg, for 12 pounds per 3 kg. However, if passengers choose to buy a FLEXI ticket, which is more expensive, they are allowed 23 kg checked baggage for free.

JetBlue, meanwhile, allows customers to bring one hand-carry luggage not exceeding 55.88 cm by 35.56 cm by 22.86 cm for free and charges for checked baggage bag with a rate depending on the type of ticket.

With a standard fare (Blue) ticket, the cheapest fare, the first bag costs $30, the second bag cost $40 and the third bag plus any additional bags $150.

Passengers can be charged additional fees if their bag exceeds 157 cm in its overall dimension or 22.68 kg. However, for Blue Plus ticket holders, the first checked bag is included in the fare, while Blue Plus Flex fare option comes with first and second bags included.

After Lion Air and Wings Air, Citilink Indonesia, the low-cost subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, is also set to implement the charged baggage on Friday for domestic flights.

However, on Thursday, Polana said Citilink Indonesia had agreed to postpone the policy to an unspecified date after the Transportation Ministry received the suggestions from Commission V.

Alvin criticized the postponement, calling it an unwise decision.

“The postponement would only confuse both customers and business players as there must be certainty for both of them. And also, business players have the right to charge for a service. So to be fair, it is better to implement the policy as scheduled,” he said.

Alvin also urged customers to be more meticulous in choosing airline services; they should not just consider the price of the ticket but also any additional fees and services.

“This is part of the maturing process of our air transportation consumers,” he said.

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