Russian budget airline Pobeda is to keep charging passengers who carry rucksacks on their flights, despite a court ruling against the policy.
Russia's Court of Arbitration announced on Friday that it had rejected the company's appeal against a ruling, which found that small backpacks should be as free hand luggage.
The case began after one female passenger argued that her small backpack should be counted as a handbag. Under Russian law, passengers are guaranteed 10 kilograms of luggage on flights free of charge, as well as a number of personal items such as handbags and briefcases.
Pobeda has claimed that the ruling will force the company to raise ticket prices, the Rosbalt news site reported. The company is now preparing a second appeal.
The budget airline, which is owned by Russian state carrier Aeroflot, made 37 million rubles ($570,000) in profit during its first year of operation in 2015.
Under the airline's rules, passengers must pay an extra fee if they wish to carry a number “special” items such as hand luggage, including backpacks, boxes, beach bags, or containers with food.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
