‘Carry valuables in hand luggage’

AIR Niugini acting chief executive officer (CEO) John Cappelletti advises all air passengers to carry their valuables in their hand luggage.
This follows letters published by The National over the past week about bags containing valuables going missing and excess baggage charges.
Mr Cappelletti said customers should direct their grievances to the airline instead of going to the media.
“Such comments in the media do not resolve any individual’s issues. If any customer had a concern or problem, they should take it up with the airline directly,” he said.
Clarifying the issue on excess baggage charges, Mr Cappelletti said Air Niugini had always been fair to every passenger, allowing some flexibility in excess baggage.
“Every airline ticket certifies the weight restrictions under each fare category. The normal luggage allowance is 20kg but in Mr Steve Clark’s case, Air Niugini was fair by allowing a total of 62kg before charging excess luggage.
“Mr Clark was in the economy class with 149kg of total weight of which Air Niugini generally allows only 20kg as per ticket conditions.
“Because he was traveling to the United States with an interline ticket, following the international agreements, Air Niugini allowed two pieces of luggage weighing 62kg. The excess were charged as per the industry agreed rates up to the United States,” he said.
US underwater filmmaker Clark claimed he was charged K9,000 for 87kg (K103/kilo) of excess baggage and that cost was more than his entire trip.
He claimed that Air Niugini’s excess fees were not posted in their website.
“PNG has wonderful diving spots but so does Indonesia and their airlines charge about 20% of what Air Niugini does for excess baggage,” wrote Mr Clark.