Leading airlines are scrapping extra baggage allowances for diving equipment, blaming rising fuel prices.

Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas have all changed baggage rules which will force divers to pay excess weight fees for carrying heavy scuba diving equipment.

All three airlines now have a strict per passenger limit of 20kg for all check-in baggage, with excess charges up to £40 per kilogram on some flights. Previously, the airlines granted around 10kg extra for passengers carrying diving or other sporting equipment.

Olivia O’Corbett, a spokesperson for Emirates, which operates flights from the UK to the Maldives, told DIVE: ‘Following a review of our baggage allowances, we have withdrawn the free 10kg allowance for scuba equipment with effect from 10 June. We regret that this has been necessary, but the ever-increasing cost of our operations driven by the very high price of fuel has made this unavoidable. Passengers will only be charged for the carriage of scuba equipment if it and the weight of any other hold baggage they are travelling with exceed our normal baggage allowances. Excess baggage charges vary from route to route.’

However, passengers travelling with golfing equipment are still entitled to extra free luggage allowance on Emirates flights.

DIVE asked Emirates why golfers are not facing the same excess baggage charges because of rising costs. After seven days Emirates was still not able to give an answer as DIVE went to press.

Emirates confirmed the excess baggage charges for flights from the UK to Maldives were £36.78 per kilogram.

Malaysia Airlines, which operates flights from the UK to some of the world’s most popular destinations, looks set to withdraw all special luggage allowances for sporting equipment.

‘It is very likely that this will happen,’ said Guy Moreau, marketing manager of Malaysia Airlines. ‘All the airlines are facing difficult times because of rising fuel prices.’

Spanish airline Iberia does not offer any allowances for divers and has now introduced a fixed rate excess baggage fee of €150 per flight.

Hand luggage restrictions have also been tightened across the board.

DIVE contacted those airlines frequently used by divers to find out how much it costs to carry dive equipment that exceeds the maximum weight allowance on economy flights (see table below). Divers should contact their airline prior to travel about relevant luggage restrictions for specific routes.

For hold luggage, there are two types of allowance. Passengers are given either a ‘weight allowance’ or a ‘piece allowance’. A weight allowance typically ranges from 15kg to 60kg per person, depending on the airline or class of travel. A piece allowance will usually restrict a passenger to two pieces of hold luggage. Both weight and piece allowances will also have limits on the maximum size of the baggage as well as the weight limits.

Source: DIVE

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