Question : New Air Freight Policy

(a) whether the Government has initiated a new air freight policy;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether complaints against high/excess luggage charges have been received from various quarters;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the existing luggage limits for different airlines in the country for domestic and international flights and the new/revised rates proposed for the same;

(e) whether this matter has been/is likely to be arbitrated by any court, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the time by which new rates/limits are likely to be made operational?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) & (b): No such Air Freight Policy has been initiated by this Ministry.

(c) & (d): No complaint substantiating the violation of regulation specific to high/ excess luggage charges has been received by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
As per the Air Transport Circular (ATC) 02 of 2016 on "Unbundle of services and fees by scheduled airlines", specified free check-in baggage limit is 15 Kg. As per the amended circular effective from 01/07/2016, between 15-20 Kgs. of checked-in baggage, the charge per Kg. shall not be more than INR 100.

(e) & (f): The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has challenged the recent amendment made in Air Transport Circular, ATC 02 of 2016. This matter is subjudice in the Hon''ble Delhi High Court.