(Photo= Yonhap news)

 

[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] Domestic airlines in South Korea are consecutively raising baggage fees, citing increased operational costs as the main reason.

On October 8, Asiana Airlines announced that starting January 2, 2025, it would increase excess baggage fees on international flights by 10,000 KRW to 40,000 KRW per bag, depending on the route. Currently, the airline allows passengers to check in one to two bags for free, depending on the route and seat class. This marks the first increase in baggage fees since July 2019.

For transpacific routes, the current excess baggage fee for one additional bag is 200,000 KRW, which will rise to 240,000 KRW. The fee for bags weighing between 24 kg and 32 kg will increase from 100,000 KRW to 120,000 KRW. For routes outside North America, excess fees will increase from 60,000-140,000 KRW to 90,000-180,000 KRW for one additional bag, while the fee for two bags will rise from 90,000-210,000 KRW to 120,000-220,000 KRW.

Weight-based excess fees will also be consolidated, with the current range of fees for 24-28 kg and 29-32 kg being integrated into a new range of 60,000-110,000 KRW.

Pet travel fees will see similar increases, with rates for pets under 32 kg rising from 140,000-290,000 KRW to 150,000-330,000 KRW, and for those between 32 kg and 45 kg, the fee will increase from 290,000-590,000 KRW to 300,000-650,000 KRW.

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have also increased baggage fees.

Jeju Air raised its baggage fees in March, with excess baggage for domestic flights now costing 10,000 KRW for each additional 5 kg, up from 5,000 KRW, and for Japan routes, from 30,000 KRW to 40,000 KRW.

Air Seoul adjusted its excess baggage fees in May, increasing fees for Japan routes from 35,000 KRW to 40,000 KRW for every additional 5 kg, and Southeast Asia routes from 55,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW.

Jin Air raised its baggage fees starting in July by 1,000 KRW for domestic, Japan, and China routes, with fees for Guam routes increasing from 50,000 KRW to 60,000 KRW.

Eastar Jet also increased baggage fees in August, with an additional 2,000 KRW for domestic flights exceeding the basic 15 kg allowance and a 10,000 KRW increase for Japan, Northeast Asia, and Southeast Asia routes. On-site baggage fees rose by 1,000 KRW per kg for domestic flights, and by 3,000 KRW for Japan and Northeast Asia routes, and by 2,000 KRW for Southeast Asia routes.

Overall, the rise in baggage fees across various airlines reflects ongoing pressures from increased operational costs in the airline industry.

 

 

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