ENFIELD, N.S. – There’s now another fee to pay at airports across the country, and Haligonians aren’t happy about it.
Air Canada has followed West Jet and Porter in charging $25 for the first piece of luggage you check. They are actually catching up to what airlines in the United States and Europe have been doing for quite some time.
When you book a flight for travel on or after November 2, 2014 with Air Canada, you’ll have to pay $25 for first checked bags on domestic flights when you travel economy class tango fares.
Air Canada travelers Global News spoke with at Halifax Stanfield International Airport don’t like the new fee.
“Ridiculous,” said Matthew Farrell. “They’re only trying to get more money. That’s how it is I guess. It sucks.”
“If you’re travelling within Canada they shouldn’t charge,” said Nicholas Sanford. “If you’re going out, I mean to the U.S. or any other countries they should, but in Canada they should not.”
The baggage fee also applies to Air Canada trips to the Caribbean and Mexico.
Air Canada says 20 per cent of its Canadian customers and about five per cent of their customers system-wide will be affected by the new fee.
“I’ve followed the profit margins of the airlines – not only here but across the world over the past year – and they realize some pretty nice profits,” said Gerry O’Malley.
“I don’t think this is necessary. I think it’s part of the service. If they’re carrying you, they’re carrying your luggage with you. I consequently think they’re making a major mistake. They’re going to diminish air traffic flow and, in the end, they’re going to lose rather than gain. ”
Debra Murphy and her family just returned from a trip to Toronto: she said the added fee will be tough on families.
Farrell also thinks it will be costly for families.
“Now if I want to travel with my family of five, we’re looking at probably an extra $75 just to fly and it’s expensive as it is to fly.”
Martha Lazier notes the government also benefits from the fee.
“It’s not just the straight 25 dollars, but you’ve got to remember that there’s tax on top of that,” she said.
The new fee is expected to generate between $50 and $75 million dollars in new revenue for Air Canada.
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