Dubai, June 29 (IANS): Passengers travelling by Air India and Air India Express from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would face stricter rules on hand baggage from July 1.

"The free allowance for hand luggage would be restricted to eight kg on Air India and seven kg on Air India Express, inclusive of duty free items," Khaleej Times reported on Sunday.

"If the baggage weighs more than the free allowance, a fee of 60 Dirhams ($16) per excess kilo would be charged at the gate," said Prem Sagar, manager of Air India and Air India Express in Dubai and Sharjah.

"Most other airlines flying to India have already been charging excess baggage at the gates."

"Passenger hand baggage is assumed to be around seven to eight kilos whereas people sometimes carry 10-15 kg extra. An aircraft overweighed by two tonnes is not good for the aircraft's safety."

So far, UAE passengers flying on India's national carrier and its budget airline have enjoyed the luxury of carrying duty free items beyond the free allowance of hand baggage.

However, very often this went up to several kg and became a concern in overloading the aircraft.