Change coming to Aussie airports in lead up to Christmas

Aussie travellers can expect a crackdown on their carry-on luggage, as major airlines plan to strictly monitor weight limits from this week.

Australian airlines will weigh hand luggage on domestic flights and people with more than 7 kilograms will need to check in their baggage.

Cabin bags will be weighed either at check-in or the boarding gate and there will be additional resources in terminals.

The change will apply across on all domestic flights and is supported by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), a spokesperson for Virgin Australia said.

Major airline Virgin Australia will check the weight of carry-on baggage from December 10.

“From Monday 10 December, passengers travelling with Virgin Australia can expect to have
their cabin baggage weighed at various points in their journey, including at check-in and at
the boarding gate,” Virgin Australia said in a statement sent to Yahoo7 on Monday.

“If baggage is heavier than the 7kg limit, their bag will need to be checked
in and carried in the cargo hold.”

The airline cited crew safety and timeliness concerns as factors behind renewed enforcement of existing baggage limits.

“We’re seeing injuries to our cabin crew caused by closing overhead lockers full of heavy baggage,” Paul Woosnam, Virgin Australia’s General Manager Ground Operations said.

Qantas is also set to crack down on hand luggage limits, citing customer complaints about people exceeding the carry-on limit.

“We’re renewing our focus to keep cabin baggage within the allowances and to
ensure everyone has their fair share of space onboard,” a QANTAS spokesman said in a statement on Friday.

“Cabin bins that are too full or bags that are too heavy can cause a safety risk for both
customers and crew.”