Wizz Air considering hand baggage charges on all flights

Low cost airline Wizz Air is considering charging passengers for hand baggage on all of its flights.

The budget carrier launched a pilot scheme on its Luton to Katowice route, which saw passengers with bags larger than 42cm x 32cm x 25cm pay a fee of €10 (£7.90).

Items measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20cm or more, or those weighing over 10kg, must be checked into the hold where fees rise to €20 (£17) for short flights and €25 (£21) for longer journeys.

Wizz Air claimed that its trial, which was introduced on August 1st, has been welcomed by passengers on the Luton to Katowice service.

The airline's corporate communications manager Daniel De Carvalho said ten per cent of passengers on the route had paid for a larger cabin bag allowance, which also gives them priority boarding.

As such, there are plans to roll out the charges to the rest of the Wizz Air network.

"Wizz Air passengers now have the choice of which cabin bag to bring onboard and can fully customise their travel experience," said Mr De Carvalho.