Airline passengers grumble over new baggage fees

Passengers travelling on Air Canada flights from Charlottetown Airport Thursday were expressing their annoyance with new baggage fees.

Air Canada is no longer offering any free checked luggage for passengers flying at their lowest available fares within Canada or to the Caribbean or Mexico. The first checked bag will cost $25. The new fee comes into effect for all new bookings on flights on Nov. 2 or later.

The new fees follow similar announcements by West Jet and Porter.

The Charlottetown Airport Authority said more people may carry on baggage, which could have an impact on screening times at security.

Air Canada says about 20 per cent of its Canadian customers will be affected by the new fee, and about five per cent of its customers in total.