Dissemination on Lion Air Paid Baggage Must Be Extended: House

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Fary Djemi Francis, the chairman of the House of Representatives Commission V, deemed the annulment of the free baggage allowance for domestic flights of Lion Air and Wings Air of 20 kilograms and 10 kilograms per passengers could be detrimental to consumers. 

“This free service erasure is harmful to the public because there is no information dissemination on the issues yet, but suddenly both airlines will implement it,” Fary told reporters in Kupang, Monday, January 7. 

The two low-cost carriers were intent on revoking the free baggage allowance of 20 kilograms and 10 kilograms per passengers, respectively, starting January 8, 2019. 

According to him, a short period of dissemination to consumers of public air transportation would stir an uproar as it was abruptly announced on Thursday, January 3, 2019, and would start to take effect on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. 

The East Nusa Tenggara-based politician said both budget airlines did not violate the aviation law. However, both were required to abide by several conditions and stages. Besides, they must ensure the prepareddess of their human resources, personnel, and supporting equipment to deal with the adjustment to prevent lines in check-in counters and baggage cashiers and other possible disruptions to operation and airport order that would cause flight delays. 

Read: Lion Air, Wings Air Reduce Free Baggage Allowance Per January 8

Intensive coordination with related stakeholders such as Airport Business Entity, Airport Organizing Unit, and Airport Authority Office was also essential. In addition, security measures for every paid baggage must be improved. There should be no more complaints about burglary in the economy class that recently grabbed headlines. 

Another impact of the regulation is that consumers will likely resort to baggage compartments in the cabin, whereas not all goods are allowed in the cabin, which called for stronger supervision from the airlines.

 “Consumers will need some time to adjust. It means the dissemination should be extended to minimize all risks.”

 ANTARA