Aer Lingus to increase checked baggage fee

Aer Lingus today announced that it will increase its checked baggage fee for all passengers on short haul services from Thursday, 8th May. Baggage fees are not applied to long haul services.

A new fee of €12/£8 will apply to baggage booked online via the airline's website aerlingus.com while a fee of €18/£12 will apply to baggage checked in at the airport. Passengers can continue to pay for their baggage on-line up to two hours before departure.

Aer Lingus believe that the new fees will continue to encourage passengers to travel with less checked baggage and will assist in stream-lining passenger movement through the airport. New baggage kiosks, which will allow customers to check-in their bags automatically will be piloted in the coming months in Area 14 at Dublin Airport. Aer Lingus will be the first Irish airline to offer customers such a facility.

Enda Corneille, Director of Corporate Affairs said, "We want to encourage more of our passengers to carry hand baggage and also to travel with less baggage so the travelling experience can become even quicker and more efficient for everyone. Today's increase reflects the general pricing structure across the industry. By reducing the number of checked bags we process, this will in turn allow us to reduce our handling costs at airports thus enabling us to continue to offer our customers lower fares with a quality service."

Passengers can pay for their baggage on-line through the "Manage Booking" function at aerlingus.com or payment can be facilitated at the Aer Lingus check-in desk upon arrival at Dublin airport.