From tonight (5th January) onwards, Malaysia Airlines passengers who are travelling to Europe are not permitted to check in their luggage due to “unseasonably strong head winds”.
According to a report by The Malay Mail Online, Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) announced today that the limitation on check-in luggage has been temporarily imposed until further notice.
In a travel advisory posted on its website today, the airline said:
In the interest of safety, Malaysia Airlines currently operates a long route to Europe, which combined with temporary unseasonably strong head winds, is limiting the airlines’ ability to carry baggage in cargo.
The airline group also cited a need to conserve jet fuel as its reason to impose the temporary ban on checked-in baggage allowance.
Economy Class passengers will be able to carry one piece of luggage up to 7kg while Business/First Class passengers can bring 2 pieces totalling 14kg (up to 7kg per piece). “Passengers who wish to check-in their luggage will be able to do so, however, their baggage will only arrive later,” it added.
The airline group also encouraged “connecting passengers travelling on oneworld member carriers” with through check-in service can offload their baggage due to this defective.
It added:
Malaysia Airlines will continue to assess the changing situation over the region and will update passengers when operations are back to normal. Safety remains the centre of the airline’s operations.
The airline group also promised to deliver stranded baggage as soon as the situation permits.
UPDATE (6th January, 11am):
Following the uproar caused by Malaysia Airlines’ decision to limit check-in luggage allowance for their Europe flights, the airline has today (Wednesday, 6th January) retracted the order. Malaysia Airlines posted an announcement tweet about half an hour ago to confirm that the restriction has been lifted.
[UPDATE] Baggage allowance restriction for all flights to EU has been uplifted. Flight operation is back to normal. https://t.co/u8zA1MVzbc
— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) January 6, 2016
When asked by a curious Twitter user as to why the airlines was able to retract their decision, Malaysia Airlines explained that they’ve “managed to secure alternative airspace that is not affected by the weather conditions to fly”.
A new travel advisory was also uploaded on their website, confirming that the normal Malaysia Airlines baggage allowance has been restored.
The full statement is as follows:
All Malaysia Airlines’ flights from Kuala Lumpur to London, Paris and Amsterdam from tonight, 6 January 2016, will resume flying its normal route. Normal baggage allowance has also been restored.
Passengers are able to check in 2 pieces of luggage of up to 30kg for Economy Class, 40kg for Business Class and 50kg for First Class.
For more enquiries, passengers can contact 1300-88-3000 about the status of their checked in baggage.
Sources: The Malay Mail Online, City A.M., Malaysia Airlines (1), Malaysia Airlines (2), Malaysia Airlines’ Twitter.
