Airline charges vary for ski equipment
New research from travelsupermarket.com has revealed significant differences in the costs levied by airlines for transporting wintersports equipment.
Some airlines, such as British Airways and Air Berlin, allow passengers to carry one pair of skis, poles and boots, or one snowboard and boots, per person without any charge.
But other carriers, notably the no-frills airlines, levy charges of up to £20 each way for a pair of skis.
EasyJet charges £15 per pair of skis or snowboard if pre-paid, or £20 if paid at the airport.
Ryanair charges £15.50 if booked online or £20.50 if via its call centre or at the airport.
A notice on Ryanair’s website states: “Sporting equipment is inherently unsuitable for carriage by airlines operating fast turnarounds such as Ryanair. However, these items may be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance upon payment of an additional discounted fee per item, per one way flight, if booked at the time of reservation.”
Other airlines, such as Virgin Atlantic, VLM and Wizz Air offer free carriage if the total weight of your luggage does not exceed the stated baggage allowance.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert from travelsupermarket.com, said: “Holidaymakers planning to take ski equipment with them need to be aware that the airline they fly with will have a bearing on how much they can take and how much it will cost. Some airlines let you take skis and snowboards for free, some have a nominal charge and some charge each way plus excess baggage supplements. So passengers need to check how ‘low-cost’ their airline really is when it comes to taking their ski luggage abroad.”
Last week, British Airways was attacked for its decision to ban all surfboards, along with kayaks, windsurf and javelins, from flights, claiming they were too bulky.
English surfboard champion Ben Skinner said: “The ban is a disgrace.”
Jeremy Skidmore
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