Since Jan. 22, Lion Air and its subsidiary Wings Air no longer include a baggage allowance of 20 kilograms or 10 kg per passenger, respectively, with every ticket purchased. Each passenger is now allowed to bring one piece of cabin baggage weighing a maximum of 7 kg and with dimensions not exceeding 40 x 30 x 20 centimeters.

Checked baggage is subject to additional fees.

Citilink, a subsidiary of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, has announced a plan to introduce a similar policy next month.

“We will assure that the [financial] burden for [passengers] is lighter. There are several ways, starting from canceling the policy to providing discounts,” Budi said in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

He said the ministry had listened to complaints from airline customers who claimed they were overcharged by airlines.

“The point is that everything is based on the law. We will deregulate the law if people are suddenly overburdened,” he said, adding that he would meet with stakeholders to discuss the issue and would make a decision within three or four days.

House of Representatives Commission V, which oversees transportation, had called on the government to delay the implementation of airlines’ policy to charge baggage fees.

Commission V deputy chairman Sigit Susiantomo said the government needed to study the matter to consider the affordability of airfares and the sustainability of airline business operations. (bbn)

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