Passengers travelling through Sharjah International Airport have been advised to follow new baggage regulations effective December 4.

Once the new baggage policy in place, bags that do not have at least one flat surface will be rejected at check-in, including irregularly shaped and oversized items, as they can bog down the luggage-handling process.

Customers are also advised not to bring round bags to the airport to ensure smooth handling of baggage as irregular shaped or round bags jam the baggage system, delay baggage delivery and cause inconvenience to passengers.

Similar baggage rules were introduced at the Dubai International Airport early last year.

Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, told Gulf News on Monday that packing baggage as per the new regulations can save valuable time at the airport as it will allow hassle free start to passengers for their trip.

An awareness campaign in this regard has already been launched at the airport [check-in counter]. Airlines and travel agencies have also been informed about the new regulations and were told to provide information to the passengers about the new baggage regulations.

Al Midfa said that the airport will not accept any baggage packed in violation of the new regulations with effect from December 4.

He explained that any baggage accepted for travel must have at least one flat surface. The new rules also don’t mean that passengers who fail to comply won’t be allowed to check in their belongings, as they still have an option to repack their stuff for a fee or proceed to the oversized baggage counter.

In case the baggage does not have one flat surface, it needs to be re-packed into an approved cardboard box. HALA Services at the airport is the only authorised agent for re-packing materials, which include approved boxes. The passenger will be charged Dh20 as baggage re-packing fees.

He said baggages tied with a rope will also be rejected. Two items tied together are also not acceptable at the check-in counter.

Baggage larger than 90cm long, 75cm high and 60cm wide, or that does not have a single Flat surface will need to be checked in at the oversized baggage counter.

Tips for a smooth check-in
Pack personal belongings and items needed on-board in your hand luggage.
Be sure to keep your passport with you at all times
Keep a laptop or tablet where it can be easily reached and this will need to be screened separately at the security scan areas.
Always remove old baggage tags as these may cause the baggage to be rejected
Make sure you know what your baggage looks like and keep hold of your baggage receipts for easy identification at your destination.
Use a bag that has at least one flat surface.
Do not use irregularly shaped suitcases.
Don’t tie thick plastic ropes around your luggage. If you must, secure it with a tape.
Adhere to the weight limit specified by your carrier.

Operators in the travel industry have advised passengers flying out of Dubai International to adhere to the new baggage regulations that came into effect on Wednesday to avoid delays.

Starting Wednesday, bags that don’t have at least one flat surface will be rejected at check-in, including irregularly shaped and oversized items, as they can bog down the luggage-handling process.

“Customers are being asked to not bring round bags to DXB as they can jam our baggage system, delay baggage delivery and inconvenience other passengers. Please ensure baggage has at least one flat surface,” the airport authority said in its latest passenger alert.

An Emirates spokesperson said the airline is also advising its customers to check its website for all baggage enquiries, to avoid confusion. “We are quite specific and detailed with our passengers when it comes to baggage dimensions even when we have exceptions.”

With the new changes announced only last week, some passengers are still likely to show up with non-compliant bags.

Premjit Bangara, travel manager at Sharaf Travel, said since the announcement, they have been inundated with calls from customers seeking to clarify the new baggage rules.

“All airlines have been duly informed of these changes, as well as local travel agents. [But] there could be a few incidents where passengers turn up with boxes or suitcases which do not conform to the new rules,” Bangara said.

He, however, clarified that the new regulations are not likely to affect the majority of the travelling public, even those who don’t invest in a suitcase.

The new rules also don’t mean that passengers who fail to comply won’t be allowed to check in their belongings, as they still have an option to repack their stuff for a fee or proceed to the oversized baggage counter.

“The ruling clearly states that only bags with flat surfaces will be accepted. Flat-bottomed rectangular and square [packages] which are used by a majority of travellers with modest means will continue to be accepted, provided they are not oversized and irregularly shaped,” said Bangara.

“It also clearly states that these bags can only be secured by tape, not by thick plastic ropes which is the current practice. The logic being that these knotted ropes could snag themselves on the conveyor belts and cause downtime, which in turn would affect and delay the processing of baggage at the airport.”

SOURCE : GULFNEWS