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Are LCC checked baggage charges “fines imposed by the earth on travelers”?

Are LCC checked baggage charges “fines imposed by the earth on travelers”?

 

Table of contents

1:Low-cost carrier (LCC) deposit baggage charges

2:The impact of heavy checked baggage on climate change

3:Will full-service airlines (FSAs) follow the LCCs?

4:The challenges of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)

 

1:Low-cost carrier (LCC) deposit baggage charges

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have achieved low operating costs by offering only the minimum necessary services and have been able to provide air transport services at lower fares compared to full-service airlines (FSAs). They are also known for charging for checked baggage.

For Japanese and Asian LCCs, one-way charges for 20 kg of checked baggage to Japan range from JPY 3,200 to JPY 3,700 (at the time of booking the ticket), as LCCs are aware that carrying extra checked baggage increases fuel costs.

 

20 kg checked luggage fee (one way to Japan, Yen)

PeachTigerair TaiwanHong Kong ExpressScoot
Departure countryTaiwanTaiwanHong KongSingapore
At time of booking3,4003,7003,2003,520
If purchased after the ticket has been issued3,9404,6004,0004,320

 

However, the carriage of heavy checked baggage by aircraft not only consumes extra fuel but also hurts climate change by emitting additional carbon dioxide emissions. Deposit baggage charges may therefore be seen as a ‘fine from the earth’ for travelers who fly with heavy baggage.

預入手荷物

2:The impact of heavy checked baggage on climate change

As commented in “Sustainable travel by reducing luggage“, the carbon footprint of checked baggage (20 kg) is significant. Compared to carbon dioxide emissions per passenger, the carbon footprint of checked baggage (20 kg) is between 15% and 35%, depending on the distance flown.

 

Distance from Narita Airport from major cities and carbon dioxide emissions

Distance from Narita Airport (round trip, km)CO2 emissions (kg)
Per One PassengerPer Checked Baggage (20 kg)
USA (Washington)21,684785261
Canada (Toronto)20,594749248
Italy (Rome)19,776781238
France (Paris)19,416815234
UK (London)19,170784231
Germany (Frankfurt)18,730675226
Australia (Melbourne)16,344875197
Russia (Moscow)14,990685180
India (Delhi)11,812693142
Indonesia (Jakarta)11,668620140
Singapore (Singapore)10,708588129
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)10,812550130
Thailand (Bangkok)9,292538112
Vietnam (Hanoi)7,43642990
Philippines (Manila)6,09638873
Hong Kong (Hong Kong)5,92241771
Taiwan (Taipei)4,36231353
China (Beijing)4,26833851
South Korea (Seoul)2,51020130
Average12,399591149

Note: Emissions per passenger for Rome, London, and Moscow are data from Haneda Airport. Emissions per passenger are data from economy class

Sources: ICAOECTAUK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra)Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism

 

The carbon dioxide emission reductions achieved by not carrying 20 kg of checked baggage on board an aircraft are compared with the carbon dioxide emissions per capita in daily life. The per capita carbon dioxide emissions vary widely due to the flight distance to Japan and differences in lifestyles in different countries, but the reduction is equivalent to between 1 and 27 days.

 

Annual CO2 emissions per capita(t)

Total CO2 emissionsCO2 emissions from daily life
Canada18.62.7
Australia17.10.6
USA15.51.7
Korea11.91.0
Taiwan11.71.4
Russia11.41.0
Germany9.41.7
Malaysia8.70.2
Singapore8.60.1
China7.40.4
Hong Kong6.50.2
Italy5.91.1
UK5.61.1
France5.11.2
Thailand3.90.1
Vietnam2.20.2
Indonesia2.00.1
India1.90.1
Philippines1.20.1
Average8.10.8

Sources: Worldometer; World Bank Data

 

Reduction in CO2 emissions per capita without checked baggage (20 kg) (round trip)

Reduction in total CO2 emissionsReduction in CO2 emissions from daily life
(days)(days)
India27495
Indonesia25494
Philippines22316
France1771
UK1580
Vietnam15187
Italy1582
Thailand10372
Germany949
USA656
Russia663
Malaysia6290
Singapore6415
Canada534
Australia4113
Hong Kong4119
China347
Taiwan214
South Korea112
Average10174

Sources: Worldometer; World Bank Data; UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra); Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; our calculations

 

Sustainable travel

 

3:Will full-service airlines (FSAs) follow the LCCs?

FSAs (also known as Full-Service Carriers) charge on the premise of providing full service, and many FSAs do not charge for checked baggage weighing up to 20 kg. Will FSAs charge for checked baggage in the future, as LCCs do?

Some FSAs, such as in Europe, have started charging for checked baggage – British Airways is in effect charging for checked baggage in the “Economy Basic” class. Compared to the “Economy Plus” class, which offers free baggage allowance, there is a difference of £14 between London and Paris (¥166/£2,324, the lowest fare on 25 January 2023) and £35 between London and Tokyo (¥166/£5,810, the lowest fare on 25 January 2023). The difference between the two is £35 between London and Tokyo (¥166/£5,810, lowest fare on 25 January 2023). This difference is effectively a charge for checked baggage.

 

British Airways air fares

DepartureLHR (London)LHR (London)
ArrivalCDG (Paris)HND (Tokyo)
ClassEconomy BasicEconomy Basic
Price£54£493
NoteHand baggage onlyHand baggage only
ClassEconomy PlusEconomy Standard
Price£68£528
Note1 x 23kg / 1 x 51lb checked baggage allowance2 x 23kg / 2 x 51lb checked baggage allowance
Price difference (Plus-Basic)£14£35

 

European airlines other than British Airways have introduced similar fare structures, which may spread globally in the future.

British Airways

 

4:The challenges of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)

The aviation industry aims to decarbonize by replacing jet fuel or aviation petrol with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). At the World Economic Forum, airlines, SAF producers, airline users, and others signed the “2030 Ambition Statement” (September 2021) aiming for a 10% SAF share by 2030.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Of course, we hope that technological innovation will eventually lead to the development of cheaper SAF and zero-warming gas emissions from airplanes, but what will be the impact on the planet before this is achieved?

For many people, “Travel” is “Big fun.” Unfortunately, in modern life, with the various advancements in civilization, humans have become a burden on the planet just by living a daily life. Very few people would say “I’ll stop traveling by plane” or “I’ll never travel abroad,” even though awareness of sustainable travel and the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). And It is also not realistic to suddenly eliminate logistics by air, such as imports and exports, across national borders.

If you want to travel abroad but know that flying has a big negative impact on the environment, why not at least get on a plane with only your weight? Just by leaving your clothes at home, you can reduce your burden on the planet.

Why not “fly light and rent what you need on the travel”? You can save on paying extra fees to the airline for heavy baggage and having a trip that has an even more negative impact on the environment. We believe that giving up heavy checked baggage means that travelers don’t have to give up any of their fun – and they can do their bit for the environment right now. If all the world’s travelers travel light, they will certainly be less of a “nuisance to the planet.” We invite you to consider using our rental service.

 

 

 

 

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