Air New Zealand says a new electronic baggage check-in system, which would collect $5 million domestically a year, is aimed at cutting costs and does not represent a change to policy.

The system, being trialled in Auckland, automatically calculates the weight of baggage being checked through and any applicable charges, Air NZ executive Norm Thompson said today.

Domestic travellers are charged $5 per kilogram of baggage over 20kg, and can carry on a further 7kg free. Charges are higher for international travellers....