Low cost airline Mango says that South African air travellers have a significant role to play in keeping flights affordable.

Mango Communication Manager Hein Kaiser says that by simply packing one kilogram less in each checked piece of luggage, and reducing hand luggage to a bare minimum, airlines could save thousands of rands a day by making aircraft lighter and subsequently decreasing fuel costs.

“By reducing the weight of an aircraft,” says Kaiser, “fuel saving over time becomes substantial and makes it possible for airlines to implement fewer or lower fare increases should the oil price maintain its current high levels.”

At the same time, he says, Mango will be more vigilant when enforcing rules on excess baggage.

“Airlines cannot afford to be lenient on overweight baggage anymore,” he says. “In the long run passengers who pack a lot also cost a lot more to transport, and in today’s environment excess baggage ends up costing fellow passengers more, if it is not addressed.”

Kaiser says that Mango allows for 20 kilograms of check in luggage and seven kilograms of hand luggage on board. “Excess weight will be charged for at R25 a kilo for check in luggage and, overweight hand luggage will have to be checked in as well or stored in the forward hold on boarding an aircraft.”

Some international airlines have started charging for every piece of luggage checked in, but Kaiser says that Mango has no plans to follow that route. “Guests travelling on Mango, and any other airline for that matter, should come to the party and contribute toward keeping air travel affordable,” he says.