Azimuth Airlines received a warning from Rospotrebnadzor due to a 5 kg hand luggage allowance. The reason was a passenger's complaint on a Chelyabinsk — Mineralnye Vody flight, media reported.
The agency deemed the condition in the ticket unacceptable and referred to paragraph 122 of the Federal Aviation Rules, which specifies a minimum free carry-on allowance of 10 kg. The carrier will have to deal with the current norm. If the warning is not challenged, the rules will have to be changed.
Azimuth introduced the 5 kg limit back in 2019 for cheap baggage-free fares. Passengers flew under these conditions for almost seven years — until the first complaint. The conflict reflects a long-standing contradiction between the low-cost model, where every kilogram saves fuel, and the regulatory minimum that the airline is obliged to observe.
What are the hand luggage standards for Russian airlines?
Federal aviation rules set a minimum hand luggage allowance of 10 kg for the basic fare. Airlines have the right to set their own norms, but not below this threshold. Most major carriers have a standard of 10 kg, while some fares have less:
- Aeroflot — up to 10 kg in economy and comfort, up to 15 kg in business, dimensions 55×40×25 cm.
- S7 Airlines — up to 10 kg in economy, up to 15 kg in business, dimensions 55×40×23 cm.
- Rossiya — up to 10 kg, dimensions 55×40×25 cm.
- Utair — up to 5 kg on minimum fares, up to 10 kg on others.
- Pobeda — hand luggage is not limited by weight, but must fit into a calibrator of 36×30×27 cm.
- Ural Airlines — up to 10 kg, dimensions 55×40×25 cm.