FLYBE, the biggest low-cost operator out of Belfast City Airport, is set to launch what it calls a pioneering new Fair Deal on baggage which it claims will save all passengers £1 off ticket prices.At present individual ticket prices includes the cost of all baggage carried on the aircraft, meaning that if you are only carrying hand luggage you incur the charge for carrying other peoples baggage.

The Fair Deal on baggage, which will come into effect early February 2006,is aimed to encourage passengers to carry only hand luggage.

To further encourage this flyBE will double the weight allowance - from 5kg to 10 kg - that can be carried as hand baggage; with excess baggage charges for 99 per cent of the travelling public removed, the hold baggage allowance will increase to 25kgs, (the highest on the low-cost sector).

However, flyBE will introduce charges for each checked item of hold baggage of £2 per item, per sector ­ if booked in advance ­ and £4 per item, per sector if presented un-booked at the airport. As a result, passengers will now only pay for the service they use rather than the cost being unfairly spread across all passengers on the aircraft.According to the airline, just over 55 per cent of consumers check baggage into the hold of flyBE aircraft and it expects this number to drop slightly to 50 per cent.

Despite the on-line check-in charge to be levied on hold baggage, the universal £1 cut in all fares means that the average price paid by passengers will not increase, says the airline. The savings created will provide further operational efficiencies through the ability to provide quicker turnarounds and long-term savings for consumers over the next few years, claims flyBE

Jim French, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at flyBE, said: "For the first time passengers checking bags onto flights will pay for the service they use rather than the cost being unfairly spread across all people on the aircraft.

"With passengers pre-booking baggage we will be able to accurately predict the volume of baggage to be carried allowing us to handle flights with exactly the right levels of resource. This will speed up turnaround times, reduce costs and provide us with much greater operational flexibility.

"This innovative lead allows passengers to book on-line, reserve a seat on-line, and in Spring 2006 check-in on-line. Therefore passengers travelling without baggage will go straight to the boarding gate, having spent an average of four minutes completing the on-line integrated booking process.

"FlyBE aims to deliver to the consumer an experience that minimises the time booking and time spent at the airport, removing the need to queue and cutting down hassle." added Mr French. Flybe baggage charges were introduced from December 16, 2005 for flights booked from February 1, 2006 and applies to all flights. Passengers who will be checking in bags can pre-book these online at the same time they buy their tickets. Late booking of bags can be carried out at check-in, but will cost £4 for 25kg rather than £2.