

MUMBAI: No free baggage allowance, a charge for airport check-in and payment for every seat may soon be an air traveler's reality. The recent unbundling of charges has sparked a controversy, with airlines charging for services without reducing fares, but aviation experts predict all services, except for a constant base fare, will come with a price tag in two to three years.

Airlines in India may emulate low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the US and Europe which keep a basic fare and charge for ancillary services.

Passengers may have to check in early through the web to avoid a counter charge. There may be a scenario where no seat is assigned till a passenger picks one and pays for it, and all baggage will be charged for. The alteration will be in base fare, which will be very low, and cover operation cost. LCCs like Ryanair and easyJet operate on this model, which India-based low-cost carriers are trying to emulate. "LCCs across the globe keep fares low and charge for services. Indian carriers will do the same in two to five years," said Kapil Kaul, CEO, South Asia, Centre For Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).

Kaul said rationalized and flexible use of air space, and stabilized fuel prices will help airlines keep base fares low. Kaul hopes AirAsia , a LCC launching operations from India, will introduce a fare culture that will prompt others to follow suit. Travel expert Rajesh Rateria said a true LCC model with a base fare and ancillary charges may work well but only if implemented with transparency and fairness towards passengers.

"It may soon become a reality. But it will mean a low basic charge and hence, passengers may not mind paying extra for baggage and other services," said Rajesh Rateria, managing director, Cirrus Travels. Rateria said LCCs will have to restructure the fare model and introduce a complete change. "Currently, they have increased the cost of travel without doing anything to bring down fares," said Rateria.

Industry experts said Indian carriers will have to first draw a distinction between LCCs and full-service carriers. "Today, LCC fares in India are comparable to full-service fares. Why should a passenger pay extra for services? The unbundling is a way of making money at the cost of travelers," said Sudhakar Reddy of the Air Passengers' Association of India (APAI). "Airlines can't have the best of both worlds. They will have to adopt one fare model instead of making money at the expense of travelers," he said.

