Addressing the media, GSAI President Dixon Vaz said that international airline norms permit seafarers to carry luggage weighing 40 kilos. He, however, lamented that the same facility is not extended by local airlines in India when seafarers return home or travel abroad to board the ship. “As per the norms, seafarers are allowed to carry baggage weighing 40 kilos. When the seafarers return home with 40 kg baggage, the local airlines allow them to carry only 20 kg, while charging them for the balance 20 kgs,” Dixon said. He cried foul over the attitude of the local airlines, saying that seafarers are forced to abandon the connecting flights and either take a bus or train journey to travel to their native states. “This is injustice to the seafarers community by the local airlines. We have submitted as memorandum to the South Goa MP to take up the matter with the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and do justice to the seafarers. We have also provided the MP with the international norm permitting 40 kg baggage for the seafarers,” Dixon added.
Sawaikar urged to act on seafarers’ behalf
MARGAO: The Goan Seaman Association of India has urged South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar to take up with the Centre the question of domestic airlines charging Indian seafarers extra fees for luggage.
