One of Europe’s biggest low-cost carriers has underlined its commitment to carry, free of charge, airside shopping bought by its passengers in its cabins.

 

Hungary’s Wizz Air – which transported 12m passengers in 2012 on over 290 routes – reminded its customers, yesterday, of its baggage policy and very clearly reiterated its positive stance on duty free goods bought at airports.

 

Wizz Air spokesperson, Daniel de Carvalho (below), says: “Goods purchased at the airport after security – an important source of revenue for Wizz Air’s 96 airport partners – will continue to be allowed in the cabin for free.”

 

This is in stark contrast to the approach from certain other carriers who are charging their passengers to carry duty free goods in the cabin, and whose actions are the subject of some discussion by MEPs in Brussels.

 

Speaking to TRBusiness, de Carvalho says: “Wizz Air fully allows airport duty free purchases to be taken on board. In addition, we lifted weight restrictions last week (for the holidays) and it will apply at least until the end of the summer travel period, though a date has not yet been set.”

 

The latter reference applies to passengers choosing to carry a large cabin baggage, one of several chargeable luggage options that Wizz Air has. The airline has just lifted any weight restrictions on this choice over the summer, it says “to help families to avoid some baggage fees by placing their belongings into one shared large cabin bag”. A 32kg check-in bag costs from €15, while small cabin bags (up to 42x32x25cm) are free, and large cabin bags up to 56x45x25cm cost €10.”

 

Wizz Air operates a fleet of 45 aircraft from 17 bases connecting 96 destinations across 36 countries.