Air India tightens carry-on allowances, including duty free

Air India and Air India Express are to tighten restrictions on carry-on baggage for passengers on flights from the GCC Countries from July 1.

Allowances for hand baggage, inclusive of duty free purchases, will be limited to 8 kg on Air India flights and 7 kg on Air India Express, an advisories sent by the Dubai office says.

Air India and Air India Express have not varied the actual allowances, but are moving to enforce the restriction – in a move that could discourage duty free shopping by passengers on the important Indian routes.

Carry-on baggage is to be weighed at boarding gates, with passengers charged AED60 per kilo above the allowed weight.

The airlines will implement the policy from 1 July for flights from Sharjah, and several days after that for flights from Dubai.

An airline spokesperson cited concerns about overloading due to passengers bringing on duty free items weighing many kilograms above the allowance.

Other airlines are already imposing similar charges, the spokesperson said.

Air India and Air India Express have informed travel agents of the change, and will be displaying notices at check-in counters to forewarn passengers.
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