Indian airlines are preparing to strictly implement new cabin baggage regulations, and travel agents in the UAE are advising passengers to comply with the updated rules to avoid complications during travel.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security in India has reportedly issued a circular limiting cabin baggage to a single piece weighing no more than 7kg for both international and domestic flights. According to industry insiders, these rules will soon be enforced across all Indian carriers.
Travel Agents Alert Passengers
Safeer Mahamood, General Manager of Smart Travels, confirmed the development, stating that airlines plan to implement the rules in the near future. “This will apply to all flights operated by Indian carriers, including those departing from the UAE. Passengers should prepare accordingly,” he advised.
Praveen Chowdhary from Saffron Travels and Tourism echoed this sentiment but noted that no formal communication had been received from airlines yet. “While there has been no official notification, we are proactively informing our clients about the baggage dimensions and weight limits allowed by each airline,” he said.
Minimal Disruption Expected
Industry experts believe the changes will have minimal impact on travelers, as many airlines already follow similar practices. “Most carriers have adhered to these standards for some time, so the effect on passengers will likely be limited,” said Ramy Badr, Sales Head at Dopamine Travels.
However, stricter enforcement may bring changes to specific practices. Chowdhary highlighted that passengers should now expect laptop bags to be weighed in addition to their cabin baggage. “Previously, airlines didn’t weigh laptop bags separately. We are advising our customers to ensure the combined weight of both bags doesn’t exceed 7kg or prepare to pay for excess baggage,” he explained.
Impact on Passengers’ Habits
Travel experts noted that the new rules could impact passengers accustomed to carrying multiple bags. “Many passengers use laptop bags, backpacks, and additional plastic bags to carry their belongings,” said Mahamood. “Such practices will likely be curtailed under the updated regulations.”
Airlines are also expected to introduce tighter controls on cabin baggage tags. “We anticipate that no luggage will be allowed onboard without proper tags, and the number of tags issued will likely be restricted,” Mahamood added.
Advice for Passengers
Travel agents in the UAE are urging passengers traveling to or from India to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations to avoid inconvenience. Weighing bags in advance and adhering to the single-piece limit will be crucial as airlines move to enforce these rules.
