UAE. Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports have reacted calmly to reports that Air India and Air India Express are to tighten restrictions on carry-on baggage, including duty free, for passengers on flights from the UAE from 1 July.
Both organisations say they are monitoring the situation. Dubai Duty Free President George Horan told The Moodie Report: “We are aware of the implementation of the existing rules on carry-on baggage on Indian Airlines flights from Dubai International.
“As stakeholders at the airport, we understand the issues with taking excess hand baggage onboard the aircraft, and of course we also understand the passengers’ desire to buy duty free as they depart. We are monitoring the situation at these boarding gates at the moment and, till now, there is no evidence of bags being weighed prior to boarding.
“Should this happen, we are ready to allow passengers to return items purchased at Dubai Duty Free, with full refund.”
Dubai Airports Executive Vice President Commercial Group Eugene Barry told The Moodie Report: “This is a seasonal operating issue for many Indian and African airlines at this busy travel time, and the airline in question has introduced the policy before across all UAE airports. We are in close contact with Dubai Duty Free on the matter.”
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How the news was reported in the Khaleej Times |
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, the Khaleej Times reported.
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 may be weighed at boarding gates, with passengers charged AED60 (US$16.35) per kilo above the allowed weight.
According to the report, airlines implemented the policy from 1 July for flights from Sharjah, with Dubai to follow.
An airline spokesperson cited concerns about overloading due to passengers bringing on duty free items weighing many kilograms above the allowance
