Dubai: Another airline has jumped on the bandwagon of extended free baggage allowance for passengers flying from the UAE.
Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific said on Thursday that it is expanding its free baggage allowance by a few more kilos to allow passengers to carry more in their luggage, especially during the upcoming gift-giving season.
The airline said that until November 30, 2017, all passengers flying from Dubai to Manila will get an additional 25 kilograms, completely free of charge. This is provided they purchase a baggage allowance of 40 kilograms.
That means each flyer from the UAE who book with the Philippine airline can now travel with up to 65 kilograms of checked baggage, equivalent to the weight of a typical cargo box that expats usually send back home.
The airline's existing baggage allowance, however, is only fixed at seven kilos.
Emirates had earlier announced that it is offering an additional baggage allowance in economy class to select destinations. The offer is in addition to the existing free baggage allowance of 30 kilograms and will only be applicable to tickets purchased in UAE.
Lawyer Jr Mantaring, Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs, said their offer will benefit a lot of travellers, especially since thousands of expatriates in the UAE are set to travel back home for the Christmas holidays and bring presents to their loved ones.
Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) would usually pack their holiday presents in a ‘balikbayan box’ in advance and send them separately via a cargo-forwarding firm, to save money on luggage fees. With the bigger baggage allowance, expats can take their heavy cargoes with them when they travel back home.
“Gift-giving has been a long-practiced tradition, especially during this season. Now, everyone can buy as many items as they want, and actually travel home with them, saving everyone the waiting time and the hassle of contacting another service provider,” said lawyer JR Mantaring, Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs.
Sending a ‘balikbayan’ box from the UAE can cost anywhere between Dh210 and Dh370, while a 40-kilogram baggage allowance with the airline costs between Dh320 and Dh350.
Cebu Pacific operates daily flights between Dubai and Manila and also flies to more than 20 other international destinations in Asia, Australia, United States and the Middle East.
