Etihad Airways' move to slash its free baggage allowance by 7kg on certain routes has been met with annoyance by residents of the capital.

Many who spoke to The National said the new policy was confusing and effectively forces more people to pay for extra luggage or switch to another airline.

On Thursday, Etihad said it was introducing a new baggage policy, with weight allowances changing according to the route, the choice of fare and Etihad Guest membership status.

The airline said it was "moving to a fair and transparent baggage concept" that allowed passengers to more easily "understand what they are paying for, offering clearer pricing and flexibility".

On some routes, for economy breaking deals and saver tickets, the baggage allowance per passenger has been reduced from 30 kilograms to 23kg.

"It's a bad move," said Vinod Paryani, 45, a computer engineer who checked in his luggage at the Abu Dhabi city terminal on Friday morning. "Etihad is a superb and world-class airline but if I'm given 23kg baggage allowance I will have to rethink flying on this national airline."

Low-income expatriates who travel to their home countries at least once every two years will suffer the most from the new baggage policy, he said.

"These people will be bringing home gifts to their families when they travel home," said Mr Paryani, who checked in two pieces of luggage weighing 32kg ahead of his Etihad flight to Mumbai on Saturday morning.

"Etihad's new baggage policy will result in people switching to other airlines that have 30kg or a more generous luggage allowance."

Rival airline Emirates offers 30kg of checked in luggage on most economy routes and more on routes to the U.S., Canada and South America. Qatar Airways also offers 30kg on most routes, with more on routes to Argentina, Canada, and the U.S.

Another Etihad passenger, Carlo Billones, 45, agreed. "I'm going home after two years and the airline counter staff was kind enough to allow me to check in 32kg. I don't think 23kg is enough since I'm bringing new clothes, bags of chocolates and other gifts for my family," he said.

The new policy will take effect on tickets bought on or after September 14, the airline said.

Sumit Shetty, 26, who works in the IT department of First Gulf Bank, was able to check in a 40-inch flat screen TV and one piece of luggage, weighing 30kg.

"I've flown on Etihad but this time I've booked a Jet Airways flight to Mumbai," he said. "I think people who are conscious about the Etihad brand will not mind the reduction in baggage allowance. But many will book flights elsewhere."

Christian Carandang, 33, who booked a return ticket to Manila at an Etihad counter in Abu Dhabi Mall on Friday, was unaware of the new policy.

"I'm lucky I had purchased it before September 14 otherwise I'll have to worry about excess baggage this December."

Fatima Suhail, a Sharjah resident, said people will be discouraged from choosing Etihad, adding: "When it comes to travelling to my country, I would choose a ticket that gives me maximum baggage allowance."

Etihad said the baggage allowance changes, depending on the destination, and that, on some routes, the economy class allowance has been increased for all fare choices from 30kg to two pieces of baggage at 23kg each.

On flights to and from the U.S. and Canada, the economy class baggage weight limit is unchanged at two bags of 23kg each.

For first and business-class tickets on certain routes, the allowance has been changed from 40kg and 50kg to two pieces of baggage at 32kg each.

The cost of excess baggage will be cut on a majority of fares. On some routes the cost of buying an additional 23kg piece of baggage will be reduced by up to 90 per cent, with a further reduction of up to 30 per cent if pre-purchased directly from Etihad Airways up to 24 hours before travel.

"But the general news they've come up with is reducing the baggage allowance," Ms Suhail said.

"That's what's important because it applies to a larger segment of people here."

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