Hawaii's Go! airline to charge for all checked bags
HONOLULU -- Air travelers griped yesterday about the latest fee tacked on to the ticket price: $10 for their first piece of checked luggage on go! airline.
That fee takes effect Aug. 10, but go! passengers will pay $17 for a second checked bag starting today.
"They might as well raise the ticket prices rather than just keep charging us for things. Next they'll be charging for the peanuts," said John Beach, a visitor from Washington, D.C., whose family was checking in three bags at the go! counter at Honolulu International Airport yesterday on their way to Kona.
Neither Hawaiian Airlines, the state's largest carrier, nor Island Air have decided yet to match the fee, but Hawaiian is "studying it right now," said spokesman Keoni Wagner.
When go! announced last month it would soon charge for a second checked bag, Hawaiian imposed a $17 fee for second checked bags on interisland flights.
Such fees would have been harder to impose when Aloha Airlines was still in business and the intra-Hawaii fare war was at full heat. But when Aloha shut down March 31, go! and Hawaiian soon raised ticket prices.
Travelers seeking alternatives to airline baggage fees can consider the Hawaii Superferry, which allows two free pieces of luggage per passenger and $25 for additional bags. But travelers bringing a vehicle can load up.
Costs blamed on fuel
Go! said higher fuel prices have forced it to raise revenue and the baggage fees give passengers some flexibility.
"We're just trying to provide options for our passengers," said Joe Bock, go! marketing officer. "Fuel has gotten more expensive for everyone, especially for the airlines.
"On the Mainland, we're seeing airlines impose additional fees on checked baggage, food and even the redemption of frequent-flier miles," Bock said. "The (baggage) fee is really negligible."
He said the airline hoped the fee would not deter travelers who bring gifts to friends and family on other islands or come to Oahu for shopping.
Robert Hackney was visibly upset upon learning that a fee would soon be imposed on his second bag, which was filled with T-shirts that he makes and sells. He lives in Hilo and comes to Oahu as often as twice a month.
