IATA: Passengers would be hurt if Congress adopts rule requiring airlines not to charge baggage or seat selection

Martin RoseRegional Manager for Peru and Bolivia International Air Transport Association (IATA), calculated that it would be detrimental to passengers if the plenary session of Congress approved the opinion of the Transportation and Communications Commission seeking to prohibit airlines from charging extra for baggage up to 10 kg or for seat selection.

“The bill was not accompanied by a proper analysis of the consequences, but it failed to clearly define the failure of the market it is intended to regulate. [La medida] This will have the opposite effect of what we understand they are aiming for, namely consumer protection, and they will force consumers to pay more for a service that they simply do not need, ”he said in an interview with the publication. PTR.

Martin Rose explained that this initiative will raise rates as the lowest price segment will be eliminated.

“The balance point of what a flight is, considers that there are fares that are somewhat basic and guarantee the passenger that he will be taken from a place where there is a place, and this gives him the opportunity to choose what additional attributes they want for which I would pay; but similarly, it allows those who are not interested or willing to pay more for that type of attribute not to do so. Unfortunately, he has eliminated this possibility, since the balance is set to an average or advanced rate. All passengers will be forced to pay the base amount, which is higher,” he said.

In this context, the representative of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes that “passengers in general may be affected” since there will be “an increase in the lowest rate”.

“In fact today, 80% of passengers in the entire airline industry require a base fare and of those 80%, almost 75% do not buy an additional attribute,” he added.