Etihad Airways has started a new service to allow its customers to send heavy or excess quantities of baggage before they fly.

The ‘unaccompanied baggage’ service is for luggage which exceeds approved allowances to be sent separately to avoid excess baggage fees, said  a statement.

The service is run by the airline’s cargo division, Etihad Crystal Cargo using established cargo processes and procedures with customers benefiting from special rates that are cheaper than the excess baggage fees they would normally have paid.

Des Vertannes, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president cargo, said: “We anticipate this service will become extremely popular with our customers, especially members of the expatriate community in the UAE flying back home.

“All customers need to do is to fill in the required documentation and they will then be issued with a reference number for tracking and tracing their baggage. The entire process takes just 10 minutes and customers are kept informed about the arrival time of their baggage once it is booked as cargo on an Etihad flight or with one of our interline partners.”

Only baggage from customers travelling on an Etihad flight and containing personal effects is eligible for the service. Baggage must also meet standard check-in baggage regulations regarding dimensions and weight.

Currently, unaccompanied baggage can be checked in at the Etihad customer service and ticket desk in the check-in area at Abu Dhabi airport’s Terminal 1, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service