NEW DELHI: In a first action of its kind, the government has cracked the whip on foreign airlines charging obscenely high amounts from US-bound passengers for checking in more than one bag.

Till recently, US-bound economy class passengers were allowed to check in two bags of up to 23kg each. But last year, US airlines started charging for the second bag, a practice picked up by European carriers as well, as a result of which passengers ended up paying anywhere from Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000 extra for a one-way passage.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the US and European airlines to revert to the old practice of allowing two bags with weight limit and the latter have to reply by month-end. "This anti-passenger policy of some airlines will not be allowed to continue. The matter is being taken up under the existing air service agreements India has with countries (whose airlines have started levying the fee)," DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan said. Indian carriers flying to North America still allow two check-in bags.