AirAsia is to introduce a fee for handling all Checked Baggage for flights booked from 21st April 2008 onwards across its network. AirAsia’s long distance airline, AirAsia X, already charges passengers a Checked Baggage Handling Fee on all AirAsia X flights. This handling fee is only applicable for all bookings made after 21st April, 2008.
Guests travelling with only hand luggage will not be charged.
Previously, the cost of checked baggage was automatically included in every fare; meaning those travelling with only hand luggage were subsidising those travelling with heavier, checked baggage. Now, each guest will pay only for the bags they wish to travel with.
With increasingly rising fuel costs, AirAsia is looking to change travellers’ behaviour by encouraging people to travel lighter.
Lighter baggage weight on board the aircraft means burning less fuel, hence, less pollution and a better environment. Fewer checked baggage improve airport efficiency and might eventually lead to shorter check-in queues.
Checked Baggage will be charged on a per piece basis up to a maximum combined weight of 15kg. Anything over 15kg will be charged as excess in addition to the per piece checked baggage handling fee.