Doha International Airport to introduce Strict Baggage Weight Limit

With effect from 1 June 2005, Doha International Airport will be introducing a maximum weight limit per piece of baggage of 32kg for all airlines operating in and out of the airport.

The new single bag weight limit directive is aimed at reducing the number of ground handling staff injuries as well as damage to airport facilities.

Doha International Airport (DIA) will be introducing the new directive to comply with international regulations already in place in many airports around the world. These countries include UK, South Africa, Russia and a number of destinations in the USA. Qatar Airways and all other airlines operating to and from Doha International Airport are obliged to comply with the new directive.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker explained the need for the new regulation, “Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show that manual handling injuries account for 40% of all airport injuries.

“Setting an internationally recognised limit will greatly reduce injuries and significantly improve the safety of baggage handlers when they are loading and unloading.

“Many member airlines of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and airports around the world are already complying with the new directive. As an airline that strives to make our passengers’ travel as safe and comfortable as possible, it is important to take into account that Qatar Airways passengers will connect onward with other airlines and as such need to fully comply with the regulations.”

 The new policy relates only to single items and does not affect the overall baggage allowance shown on Qatar Airways tickets which remains unchanged. The dimensions of each checked baggage, however, must not exceed 160 inches (length + height + width).

The new regulations will not affect the majority of passengers, but those affected will either be required to re-pack their baggage or check them through to the final destination as cargo.

Qatar Airways is launching an awareness campaign to educate passengers of the existing regulations in countries around the world, which is increasingly becoming an internationally recognised limit and is eventually thought to become a global IATA requirement.

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