Budget airlines rack up extra baggage charges

Millions of passengers using budget airlines face extra charges for failing to travel light in the wake of the airport security crackdown.

Low cost airline Easyjet has introduced a £10 fee for anyone wanting to check more than one item of luggage into the hold.

Meanwhile fellow airline Ryanair has increased its existing charge to check in luggage and reduced its weight limit.

Last night the carriers were accused of exploiting heightened security at the expense of passengers.

Air travellers already face sweeping restrictions on how much hand luggage they can take on to the plane with them, leaving most holidaymakers with no option but to check the bulk of their baggage in.

With many young families with children having to carry extra items to cater for a week away in the sun the prospect of extra costs - even if their luggage comes under weight restrictions - is a heavy blow.

Low-cost airlines already make huge savings by trimming all free frills such as meals and drinks from flights.

Easyjet claims that the new fees will speed up baggage procedures at airports.

But last night a spokesman for the International Airline Passengers Association said: "This does smack slightly of exploiting the situation coming at a time when passengers can only take a limited amount on board. It seems an inappropriate time to introduce this charge."

He said both families and business travellers would be hit by the charges.

"Part of the approach seems to be to advertise low cost fares, but the passengers then ends up paying through the nose on taxes and other charges, which I think is very misleading," he said.

Easyjet passengers will now be charged if they check in more than one piece of luggage into the hold. The fee will be £5 if paid online in advance and £10 if paid in the airport at the time of departure.

The weight limit for checked-in baggage will remain at 20kg, regardless of the number of bags checked in and excess baggage charges of £5 per kg will still apply.

Airline chief executive Andy Harrison said: 'We are now taking action to adapt our policies to the new security measures, in a way which will benefit all our passengers. It is simply common sense that people need to think a little more carefully about how much luggage they take, and that is what these changes are designed to do.
"They will speed up check-in and security and make the airport experience better for everyone."

Ryanair has also increased its baggage charges. Passengers who pre-book pay £3.50, from £2.50, for every item of luggage, and if they pay at the airport that figure rises to £7, from £5.

From November 1 passengers will be hit by another blow as the amount of hold luggage they are permitted to carry is reduced from 20kg to 15kg.

Ryanair only increased the limit in March this year. At the time, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "Increasing passengers baggage allowance will substantially reduce excess baggage charges."

Ryanair charges £5.50 per kilogram for anything over its hold baggage limit.