Singapore Airlines and SilkAir to launch Zonal Charges for Excess Baggage

Singapore Airlines and its regional wing, SilkAir, are to introduce changes to their excess baggage charges, replacing the current published-fare based rates.

From 1 April 2008, excess baggage charges will be levied by way of a zonal system, based on the originating region and the disembarking region:

All rates in Sin$, per kilogram of excess baggage

Band 1 : South-East Asia
Band 2 : Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Maldives, and The Indian Subcontinent
Band 3 : South-West Pacific, Japan, Korea, the Middle East
Band 4 : Africa and Europe

The new system applies to all travel itineraries that do not involve the North America region, including interline travel, with Singapore Airlines or SilkAir as the first flight segment.

Currently, customers are charged 1.5% of the highest one-way published economy fare for each excess kg. The exact amounts are typically determined only at the check-in counters. With this new policy, customers will be able to work out, even before they arrive at the airport, the extra cost they would incur if they wish to travel with more baggage then their checked allowance.

Exceptions to this new policy are itineraries between Dubai and Moscow, and Dubai and Istanbul. Excess baggage charges for these itineraries will be levied at Sin$30 per kilogram.

For itineraries involving the North America region, the allowed weight for each bag will be reduced from 32kg (70lb) to 23kg (50lb). Customers will still continue to enjoy a two-piece free allowance. Excess baggage will be continued to be levied on a per-piece basis, variable based on point of departure.

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