Indonesia’s largest airline Lion Air and its subsidiary, Wings Air, has decided to start charging for checked baggage on all their domestic flights starting January 8, 2019.
The airlines will now only allow one piece of cabin baggage, such as a suitcase no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm weighing less than seven kilograms, and one personal item, such as reading material, a handbag, or laptop bag.
Lion Air Group spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a statement on Friday: “Both Lion Air and Wings Air, which will enforce the new regulation until further notice, will no longer accept free checked baggage of up to 20 kg and 10 kg, respectively.”
Checked baggage exceeding seven kilograms will be subject to an excess baggage fee based on the rate for the day. Carriers will also no longer allow passengers to bring several items tied together with rope or string into the cabin as these will also be subject to additional fees.
Passengers will be able to purchase prepaid baggage vouchers through tour and travel agencies, the airlines’ websites, or at their ticket sales offices. The carriers have advised passengers to prepay for baggage when they buy their tickets, or alternatively, pay for it up to six hours before departure.
Furthermore, power banks with capacities of more than 160 watt-hours (Wh), or 32,000 milliamp-hours (mAh), will no longer be allowed on aircrafts, while those with capacities of between 100 and 160 Wh will require special permission by airline staff.
Passengers will still be permitted to take power banks with a maximum capacity of 100 Wh into the cabin after notifying the ground crew. However, these may no longer be used onboard.
Passengers who have purchased Lion Air and Wings Air tickets before January 8 will still able to enjoy the respective 20 kg and 10 kg free baggage allowances.
Source: Jakarta Globe
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