Flying This Year? Govt Proposes 'One Cabin Bag Rule' for Domestic, International Flights

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has proposed rolling out a fresh set of rules that could very soon change the way people pack for flights, whether they are flying domestically or internationally. As per NDTV Profit, to streamline air travel and enhance security, the government is suggesting that passengers will now be permitted to carry just one handbag or cabin bag, regardless of their destination.

This is an effort to the government's broader initiative to strengthen airport security measures and regulate the ever-growing wave of travelers passing through terminals in India and across the globe. Under the new rules, passengers will no longer be allowed to bring more than one bag into the cabin. Now, every bag - aside from the assigned handbag - will have to be checked in.

Airlines including Air India and Indigo have updated their policies on carry-on luggage size, weight, and quantity. According to Travel and Leisure Asia, the new norms on hand baggage are scheduled to be applied to domestic flights after May 2, 2025.

The new guidelines aim to streamline security procedures by reducing the number of bags at check counters, ultimately cutting down the time passengers spend during security screenings.

What Are The New Rules?

As per the new rules, only one handbag weighing within seven kilograms is permitted, with all additional luggage to be checked in. Also, the handbag’s dimensions cannot exceed 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 20 cm in width.

In case the passenger’s hand luggage crosses the weight or size restrictions, they may attract extra baggage fees.

However, Passengers who purchased their tickets before May 4, 2024, are exempt from the new weight constraints, which were formerly 8 kg for economy class, 10 kg for premium economy, and 12 kg for first and business class.

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Earlier Reforms in Airlines

In May last year, Tata Group adjusted Air India's maximum complimentary baggage allowance for its lowest fare tier from 20 kg to 15 kg. This was part of the Tata Group's one of the many reforms they have made to revitalise Air India. The airline incurred losses of over Rs 50,000 crore under the government ownership.

Before privatisation, Air India used to facilitate a complimentary baggage allowance of 25 kg, which was reduced to 20 kg in 2022 after Tata Group took over the airline.