AURIGNY is issuing a reminder to passengers to book through-tickets when connecting with other flights. The call came from the airline’s commercial manager, Malcolm Coupar, after a local resident complained that the baggage allowance granted by BA, with which he flew onwards to Florida from Gatwick, was not honoured by Aurigny.
British Airways will allow passengers two bags weighing no more than 23kgs each, a total allowance of 46kgs, before incurring excess baggage costs.
But Aurigny allows only 20kgs, with an increase of 12kgs permissible for a £5 charge if the passenger informs the airline that they have a connecting flight.
Lawnmower shop owner Andrew Troalic flew last Thursday with Aurigny from Guernsey to Gatwick, then flew onwards with BA to Tampa, Florida, to visit his sick sister who has lived in the USA for the last 40 or so years.
‘I’m going away for a couple of months, but it seems I’m penalised in terms of how much luggage I can take,’ said Mr Troalic, who booked his air travel online.
‘BA allows me 46kgs of luggage for my flight to the USA. However, I don’t feel there’s proper clarification from Aurigny.
‘It says it’s only 20kgs because of health and safety.’
He had flown to the US ‘twenty or so times before’ without experiencing any baggage-related trouble.
‘I’ve always had two bags,’ he said.
‘It’s Christmas, after all, and they seem to have overlooked the fact that not everyone who is flying is going on holiday for a week or two and that some people will be taking presents with them, too.
‘I just want to be able to take some home comforts for my sister.’
But Mr Coupar said that although passengers might feel they make savings by booking online, if taking a connecting flight they should bear in mind that there might be a discrepancy over how much baggage they could take.
‘The terms and conditions are clearly stated on our website,’ he said.
‘It is up to the individual to ensure that if they are flying on from an Aurigny destination they book a through-ticket in instances where there are differences in baggage allowances.’
Article posted on 7th January, 2008 - 12.00am
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