By Stephanie Jacob
Malaysia Airlines Bhd has defended its decision to temporarily imposed luggage restrictions on flights to London, Paris and Amsterdam, saying it was taken based on the airline’s complex risk assessment process which takes multiple factors into consideration.
The restrictions were removed entirely this morning.
“Airlines plan different flight routes depending on multiple elements including the type or aircraft, number of engines, equipment on board, fuel tank size and availability of alternative airports en route.
“The risk assessment process is complex and varies between each airline’s commercial policies. Malaysia Airlines does a daily risk assessment which determines our most optimum route,” said Malaysia Airlines in an email response to KINIBIZ.
It said that based on this risk assessment it was determined that the airline had to operate a longer route to its European destinations. This combined with unseasonably strong headwinds along the route limited the airline’s ability to carry baggage and cargo, as well as sufficient fuel for the flight.
The airline noted that headwinds along the route over the last four days had been in excess of 200 knots and this can add up to an extra 15% fuel burn on the B777-200 aircraft which Malaysia Airlines operates on its Paris and Amsterdam routes.
Asked why only Malaysia Airlines was faced with this issue, the airline explained that “Malaysia Airlines uniquely has been using a routing via Egypt which has been up to 2 hours longer than other carriers. The length of the route combined with strong head winds, limited the airlines’ ability to carry baggage and cargo”.
However, the airline did not give any explanations on why it determined that it needed to operate on the longer route.
To recap, on January 5, the airline issued a travel advisory saying it would limit passengers to just one piece of 7kg carry-on luggage for economy passengers and two pieces of 7kg carry-on luggage for business and first class passengers on its three European routes.
It said: “The longer flight path consumes more jet fuel and for safety reasons Malaysia Airlines has had to impose temporary limitations on checked in baggage allowance… passengers who wish to check in their luggage will be able to do so, however their baggage will only arrive later.”
Later that evening, Malaysia Airlines removed the restriction for its London flights but said the it was still in place for its Paris and Amsterdam flights due to the different aircraft being used.
It said: “Malaysia Airlines has been able to update its risk assessment matrix based on new data received, which now allows certain aircraft types to fly a shorter route. This is the case with our long-range A380 aircraft to London which has been able to resume normal services. However, baggage limitations still apply on our flights to Amsterdam and Paris operated by the B777 aircraft.”
The airline then removed the restrictions entirely for all flights on its network this morning.
It said: “Malaysia Airlines confirms today that normal check-in baggage allowances are available on all flights across the network including services to Amsterdam, London and Paris. Based on its current risk assessment, done on a daily basis, the airline is now able to take a shorter route on European flights.”
The airline explained their initial decision, saying “the airline has recently had to operate a longer route to Europe, which combined with strong head winds, limited the airline’s ability to carry baggage and cargo. The headwinds over the last four days were in excess of 200 knots which can add up to 15% fuel burn on a B777-200 aircraft.”
It also emphasised that safety remains their main priority and they would continue to monitor the situation, saying “Malaysia Airlines maintains that safety is of utmost priority in its operations and will not hesitate to adjust its flight path based on its daily risk assessment”.
Malaysia Airlines also said that the check-in baggage of the affected passengers was in the process of being shipped over to them. It said that passengers will not incur any additional charges for this.
It also does not plan to start charging passengers for baggage allowances, saying that the recent decision was unique and only taken due to the circumstances facing the airline.
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