Bahamasair to increase Baggage Rates effective March 1st, 2008
Bahamasair will change its baggage policy effective March 1st, 2008 on its international and domestic routes. Passengers on the International routes will now be allowed two checked bags at 60 pounds per bag rather than the 70 pounds previously allowed. On Domestic routes, passengers will continue to be allowed two checked bags with a combinable weight of 44 pounds.
There will be a change in the excess baggage charges system wide. International flights will attract the following excess baggage charges:
Third bag or more: $85.00 per bag
Bag greater than 60 Lbs: $100.00 per bag
Bag greater than 62 linear inches: $100.00 per bag
Any bag oversize and/or overweight: $125.00 per bag
Domestic flights will attract the following excess baggage charges:
Third bag or more & under 44 Lbs. & 62?: $50.00 per bag
Allowable bags greater than 62 linear inches: $65.00 per bag
Allowable bags greater than 44 lbs.: $65.00 per bag
Any bag oversize and/or overweight: $65.00 per bag
According to Van Diah, Deputy General Manager at Bahamasair this change in baggage policy is reflective of the global change in the airline industry. Despite, the constriction on allowable baggage, Bahamasair policy remains more liberal than its competitors on international flights. Most international carriers have reduced the allowable bags to 50 Lbs. per bag with some airlines charging for the first and second bag while some airlines are not accepting more than two bags with a weight in excess of the 50 Lbs per bag.
He also mentioned that the change in the domestic arena will better equip the passenger to anticipate the excess charges if applicable. Previously the excess baggage charge on domestic routes was based upon a prorate cost of airline ticket, but now the charge is a flat $50 for an extra bag or $65.00 if the two bags exceed the 44 Lbs.
Today, the airline faces numerous obstacles with facilitating flights with passengers carrying excess baggage and at times the airline is forced to charter baggage flights to follow the passenger aircraft to ensure the swift delivery of the passenger?s bags.
The change in policy is expected to defray these charter costs and reduce lost bag claims. The airline?s Dash 8 fleet baggage capacity is typically two bags per passenger with a maximum combined weight of 44 pounds. The baggage capacity is further restricted with increased stage length flights and is compounded by the lack of fuel in a number of Family Islands which requires the airline to uplift return fuel on departures out of Nassau, thereby further restricting the baggage carrying capacity.
Bahamasair is pleased to inform its passengers of this and other initiatives to improve its customer service process seamlessly.
