Government officials rule against baggage fees because of "burden" on fliers (No, not in America)

While JetBlue was breaking hearts and denting wallets with its announcement that it would start charging a minimum of $20 for checked baggage, the Indian government was stepping in to prevent the country's own budget carriers from doing the exact same thing. Several airlines – including SpiceJet, AirAsia India and IndiGo – had approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the agency that regulates civil aviation in the country, to ask about adding fees for checked luggage.

Mahesh Sharma, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, was to deny that request and he did it on the customers' behalf. (Wait...what?!) In a television interview, Sharma said:

We have got the proposal from low-cost flights to charge for check-in baggage. We have rejected it and there will be no consideration at the Aviation Ministry level. We will not want to put this burden on passengers.

Well, that's refreshing, although Sharma did say that the airlines were welcome to send a more detailed proposal and that it might be considered in the future, if it was ruled to be in the passengers' best interest (it's OK if you need to stop and collect your jaw from the carpet). Currently, air travelers on those carriers are allowed to take up to 15 kg (33 lb) of luggage with them for free.

Those same budget carriers recently did get the DGCA to allow them to charge fees for premium seating, for in-flight meals or for lounge access ("Oh hey, welcome to our world," every American air traveler just said). After the authorities ruled against the airlines, SpiceJet has announced a new "hand baggage only" fare, which would be slightly less expensive than their previous base fares. Sanjiv Kapoor, the COO of SpiceJet said, "This is a win-win as those passengers will pay for only the services they consume [and] airlines can save on fuel costs from the lower weight."

Why can't that airline fly out of Newark?