Air India Express, a state-owned low-cost carrier, which recently cut its free baggage allowance on flights from the Gulf to India, is likely revoke the rule within one month, a report said.

A seven-member team representing Indian expatriate groups in the Gulf recently met with the airline’s senior management in New Delhi to argue against the airline’s new rule to slash free baggage allowance from 30kg to 20kg and charge Dh30 ($8.16) for the extra 10kg, according to the report in Gulf News.

“Senior Indian government officials, including Cabinet ministers and senior executives of Air India, have promised us that the new baggage rule will be reconsidered,” Joy Thomas John, honorary president of the Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC), was quoted as saying in the report.

“We explained to them the difficulties faced by Indian expatriates and all of them gave us a patient hearing. Considering their response, we do believe that the new baggage rule will be reversed within one month,” John said.

An Air India executive explained the new baggage rule came into force on August 22 and that passengers who had booked the tickets before the rule was announced are still able to carry 30kg, the report said.

“Among the others, some are utilising the privilege to carry an extra 10kg above the 20kg allowance by paying Dh30,” Seema Srivastava, regional manager of Air India in Mena, said.

The rule was introduced to accommodate more passengers on Air India Express flights, she added.