Baggage Policy

Animal in hold (IATA code AVIH)

N.B. Not to be accepted as excess baggage on international and regional routes – refer to Cargo.

AVIH is not included in the free baggage allowance. The animal shall be carried in a container that meets the specification of the "IATA live animals regulations". Suitable containers may be purchased from selected pet shops.

Weight Concept (WC): Normal excess baggage rates apply for all 4 (four) crate sizes including the weight of the animal.

Pets in Cabin (IATA code PETC)

• Accompanied pets and container shall not be included in the free baggage allowance and the normal excess baggage rates apply.
• Carriage of dogs, cats and other pets is subject to Carrier’s approval. It is contingent on the fact that the animals are properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents require by countries of entry or transit. Airlink reserves the right to determine the manner of carriage and to limit the number of animals that may be carried on a flight within the hold.
• No pets are permitted in the Cabin.

Exceptions:

Airlink may accept for transportation in the aircraft cabin without charge:

• "Seeing-eye dogs" accompanying blind passengers. Dogs trained to assist deaf passengers or comparable service dogs are carried free of charge and may be accepted in the cabin only once prior arrangements have been made with the carrier.
• "Seeing-eye", service dogs and Emotional Support / Psychiatric Service Animal, together with containers and food will be carried free of charge in addition to the normal free baggage allowance. A medical certificate must be produced as evidence of the passenger's dependence upon a hearing or other service dog.
• Acceptance for carriage of pets or "seeing-eye dogs" or other service dogs, Emotional Support / Psychiatric Service Animal is subject to the conditions that the passenger assumes full responsibility for such pet where carriage is not subject to the liability rules of the Convention.
• Airlink will have no liability in respect of any such animal not having all the necessary documents for entry into or passage through any country unless such damage has been caused by carrier's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The passenger is liable for all damages which a pet might cause to others.
• The dog, when properly harnessed, may be permitted to accompany such passenger into the aircraft cabin but shall not be permitted to occupy a seat.

No excess baggage charges shall be raised for the carriage of the following items:

• A non-collapsible wheelchair or power driven wheelchair may be accepted provided the passenger is dependent on it. However please note that wheelchairs weighing in excess of 32Kg may not be accepted as checked baggage and must be pre-booked and handled as cargo through Airlink Cargo Customer Care - contact +27 10 880 3631 /2/3.

Sportsmen or women travelling individually or in groups will be permitted to include their sporting equipment in the free baggage allowance applicable to the class in which they will travel. The airline will not accept liability for damage to such articles if they are not suitably packed. Sporting equipment in excess of the applicable free baggage allowance will be charged in accordance with the current baggage policy.

The Sporting equipment classified below will attract an additional Free Baggage Allowance of 15kg per passenger. To ensure acceptance of such at the airport, a facility is offered whereby this may be pre-booked as a Special Service Requirement in respect of Sports Equipment (SSR SPEQ) through your travel agent or through the AIRLINK Reservations Help-Desk on Tel +27 11 451 7350. (The additional free 23kgs for sporting equipment is valid on South African Airways flights only)

• Scuba diving equipment. Diving cylinders must be empty and hung upside down with the valve open for 24 hours prior to departure.
• Cricket equipment. (Restricted to 1 Cricket Coffin per passenger on Airlink Flights). The exception being on Jetstream J41 type Aircraft which only allow a maximum of 4 Cricket Coffins per flight.
• Polo Mallets and Hockey Sticks.
• Hiking equipment.
• Horse Riding Equipment (saddle, stirrups and riding helmet must be tied and securely packed and wrapped)
• Bowling woods/equipment.
• Snow or Water Skis provided such does not exceed does not exceed 2m in length.
• Surf, Kite, Paddle and Skate Boards provided such does not exceed 2m in length.
• Hunting equipment / trophies.
  • Firearms & Ammunition – subject to correct transportation / safety procedure being followed)
  • Ammunition – up to 5kg when packed separately from the firearm, as per regulations. These will be accepted free of charge.
• Golfing equipment. (Restricted to 1 Golf Bag per passenger on Airlink Flights).
  - The following exceptions will apply per aircraft type per flight – 
  • Jetstream J41 – a maximum of 4 Golf bags
• Bicycle. (Restricted to the following maximum number of bicycles per aircraft type: Jetstream J41 – 2, Embraer 135/140/145 – 3, Avro RJ85 - 6, Embraer E-Jet 170/190 - 6)
  •  Maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65 cm (including handle, wheels & pockets) – valid for all aircraft types. 
• Angling equipment. Fishing rods must be packed in protective cylinders not exceeding 2m in length.
• Soccer equipment
• Rugby equipment
• Netball / Volleyball

Exception: If passage is between Johannesburg and Nosy Be, Madagascar an allowance of 20kg only will be permitted per adult passenger. Note: Sporting Equipment can only form part of the free baggage allowance and no excess baggage will be permitted.

N.B.

1. Sporting Equipment NOT specified above must be included in your free baggage allowance; if the free baggage allowance is exceeded, the normal applicable excess baggage rate will apply.

2. Hold space restrictions on AIRLINK aircraft due to the nature of the smaller airports which AIRLINK serves with medium-size aircraft, hold space may be restricted on full flights and/or in certain weather conditions.

In such instances AIRLINK will do all possible to load all hold baggage but, in the interest of operational safety, may opt to carry some baggage on the next available flight to your destination. Extra baggage may also be carried at an additional charge. However, this may not guarantee that the baggage is carried on the same flight on which you travel, under the afore-mentioned circumstances.

Musical instruments may be accepted into the passenger cabin provided they fit under the passenger seat or in the overhead bin provided. Where in exceptional cases a passenger is prepared to pay for an extra seat in order to carry extremely valuable baggage e.g. antique musical instruments, works of art etc, acceptance is only permitted if the safety and comfort of other passengers will not be impaired and if the size of such baggage permits it to be secured on the seat in such a manner as to prevent movement forward, sideways or upwards in an emergency situation. Large musical instruments e.g. cello, guitar are not permitted in the cabin and should be placed in the hold of the aircraft.

Arrangements must be made with Airlink Control Office (tel. +27 11 451 - 7300) for fragile musical instruments/bulky baggage. This type of baggage must have "fragile" labels attached and assigned a "limited release" tag.

A maximum mass of 10kg of perishable goods may be included in the free baggage allowance. Due to its perishable nature, it will be carried at the passenger's own risk and will not be accepted on regional flights.

These are acceptable for carriage as checked baggage, provided the passenger is in possession of all the necessary documentation and the casket containing the cremated remains is packed in a sealed outer box or case.

Permits are not required for the conveyance of the ashes of bodies which have been cremated in a crematorium, but a certificate of cremation must be produced if required by security prior to boarding.

Coffins containing human remains are not accepted at check-in but only as Cargo after an assessment is made due to the restricted cargo capacity size of Airlink aircraft..

Your hold luggage should not contain:

• Fragile articles
• Perishable articles
• Valuable items such as:
  • cameras and accessories
  • computers and accessories (notebooks and notepads)
  • phones
  • legal and/or company documents
  • legal tender (cash cards or cheques)
  • bullion (gold, silver etc)
  • leather jackets and clothing
  • any types of jewelry
  • merchandise
  • Electronic Cigarette

Airlink will assume no liability for loss or damage of the aforementioned and may refuse to carry such as checked/sky-check baggage.

The following list (aligned with ICAO and IATA recommended practice) is provided as a guideline of what items are not to be allowed in the cabin of Airlink aircraft. Items indicated on this list, except firearms and ammunition, may however be carried in the checked baggage of passengers. This does not include the obvious items considered as harmful items i.e. knives, firearms, explosives, grenades, etc.

• Axes and Hatchets
• Ammunition
• Baseball Bats
• Blackjacks
• Bows and Arrows
• Box Cutters
• Brass Knuckles
• Corkscrews
• Cricket Bats
• Crow Bars
• Disabling Chemicals or Gases
• Electronic Cigarette
• Fire Extinguishers
• Flare Pistols
• Golf Clubs
• Hammers
• Hockey Sticks
• Hunting Knives
• Ice Axe / Ice Pick
• Large Heavy Tools (Wrenches, Pliers etc.)
• Martial Arts Devices
• Metal Scissors with Pointed tips
• Pepper Spray
• Pool Cues
• Portable Power Drills
• Razor Blades (not in cartridge)
• Religious Knives
• Screw Drivers
• Ski Poles
• Spear Guns
• Stun Guns / Shocking Devices
• Swords
• Tear Gas
• Throwing Stars
• Toy Weapons

NOTE:

Manicure sets, including small scissors and metal nail files are permitted.

Certain items not listed as Prohibited items which may be carried on a person or in cabin baggage for medical or other use, such as syringes and hypodermic needles should be declared to the airline check-in agent or checkpoint security staff. The airline will accept the carriage of these items in the cabin of the aircraft only if such items are accompanied by clearly labelled medication such as insulin or other life saving medicines. Unlabelled or unidentified substances accompanied with syringes, or packs of needles not accompanied by the above, may be denied for carriage on a person or within cabin baggage. Passengers carrying these items, when not requiring access to such items during flight, are encouraged to rather pack these within their checked baggage. When such items are considered as unjustified or non essential, security staff may confiscate such items if a passenger fails to provide sufficient reason and/or medical evidence to carry such items.

Further restrictions on items allowed in sterile areas of airports, may be imposed or may differ from country to country, dependant on the Policy of the Local Authorities.

To minimize the risk of PED's interfering with the aircraft systems, the carrier must ensure that passengers are adequately briefed on the potential dangers of using PEDs onboard aircrafts. Certain PEDs may only be used during the cruise phase of the flight with permission of the Captain, who has the final authority regarding such usage. These include:

• Laptop computers outside critical stages of flight with permission of the Captain (associated printers and CD ROM equipment may not be used)
• I-Pads
• Hand-held calculators and electronic games
• Audio tape players and recorders

The following equipment may be used onboard the aircraft without restriction:

• Heart pacemakers
• Hearing aids
• Clocks, watches and timers
• Medical equipment approved for use in an aircraft

The following equipment is prohibited from use on board an aircraft at all times:

• AM / FM / TV transmitters and/or receivers
• Walkie Talkies
• Remote controlled toys
• Scanners
• Citizen band transceivers
• Cordless microphones
• Satellite receivers
• Portable video equipment
• Electric power converters
• Electronic Cigarette
• Computer printers
• Laser pointers
• CD players and CD-ROM devices
• The Limit to the number of PED and spare batteries that may be carried by passengers and crew are:
  • Maximum of 15 Portable Electronic Devices
  • Maximum of 20 non-spillable Spare Batteries and must be 12V or less and 100WH or less

Items that may not be carried onboard an aircraft:

• Explosive munitions, fireworks, toy gun caps and flares.
• Gases. Flammable, non-flammable, deeply refrigerated aerosols, gas cylinders, lighter and butane gas hairbrush refills and liquid nitrogen.
• Oxygen. For safety reasons the airline does not permit Passengers to bring their own oxygen cylinders aboard an aircraft in Checked or Unchecked Baggage. The airline also cannot supply oxygen onboard.
• Flammable Liquids and Solids such as, but not restricted to, paints, thinners, solvents and firelighters.
• Magnetized materials such as a compass.
• Teargas, such as self-protection mace canisters.
• Substances liable to spontaneous combustion and substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases.
• Oxidizing substances (such as bleaching powder and peroxides).
• Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances.
• Radioactive materials.
• Corrosives (such as mercury, acids, alkalis and wet cell batteries).
• Magnetized materials and miscellaneous dangerous goods as listed in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Items that may be carried onboard an aircraft:

• Medicinal and toilet articles in small quantities which should not exceed 2kg or 2 liters. Each individual article should not exceed 0.5kg or 0.5 liters. This includes such items as hairsprays, perfumes and medicines containing alcohol.
• Alcoholic beverages. The maximum quantity of alcoholic beverages may not exceed 5 liters and may not exceed 70% alcohol volume.
• Carbon dioxide gas cylinders for the operation of mechanical limbs. Spare cylinders are also permitted.
• Dry ice. A maximum of 2.5kg dry ice may be carried provided it is well ventilated to allow the escape of carbon dioxide gas.
• Medial / Clinical thermometer. For personal use only and must be in a protective case.
• Two small non-flammable gas cylinders which are fitted into a self-inflating life jacket plus two spare cartridges.
• Hair curlers containing hydrocarbon gas. No more than one set per passenger or crew member, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. These hair curlers must not be used on board the aircraft at any time. Gas refills for such curlers are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.
• Personal smoking materials intended for use by an individual when carried on their person. However, lighter fuel and refills and lighters containing unabsorbed liquid fuel are not permitted.
• Cardiac pacemakers containing radioactive material such as plutonium batteries, when surgically implanted in medical patients.

Items that may only be carried in the Cabin of a Passenger Aircraft

• Pacemakers. Passengers with surgically implanted cardiac pacemakers powered by lithium batteries may travel onboard without restriction.
• Matches or a lighter. Only enough for personal use and must be carried on the person.
• Underwater torches or soldering iron. The heating element or the batteries must be removed.
• Mercurial barometer – may only be carried by a weather bureau official and must be securely packed in leak-proof and puncture-resistant packing.

Items that may only be carried in the Hold of a Passenger Aircraft

• Ammunition. Cartridges in quantities not exceeding 5 kg per passenger for sporting purposes provided it is securely boxed.
• Aqualung air cylinders. Only empty cylinders used for water diving will be accepted.
• Battery operated wheelchairs wet and dry cell. Wheelchairs can be carried in the hold of all aircraft.

Items that are forbidden on Passenger and Cargo Aircraft

• Security equipment such as attaché cases, cash boxes and cash bags incorporating dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material, are totally forbidden.
• Disabling devices. Disabling devices such as mace, pepper spray, etc. containing an irritant or incapacitating substance is prohibited on the person, in checked baggage and cabin baggage.
• Ammunition with explosives or incendiary projectiles are completely prohibited for carriage by air.

South African Laws prohibit the carriage of firearms and ammunition in checked or cabin baggage of a passenger. These firearms and ammunition must be produced to security staff for the correct handling. A maximum weight of 5kg of ammunition may be transported. As of 01 November 2007, no hand weapons (small-arms, handguns i.e. pistols/revolvers) will be accepted or may be transported on any Airlink aircraft. However, hunting rifles, shotguns, sporting firearms and hunting handguns may be transported as checked baggage, the following rules for the countries below must be adhered too:

1. South Africa
   • Cape Town / Durban / East London / Hoedspruit / OR Tambo International, Johannesburg / Pietermaritzburg / Polokwane / Port Elizabeth / Phalaborwa /  Nelspruit (Kruger International) / Sishen / Mthatha / Upington.
   • Kimberley - Note a ZAR 200 for loading and ZAR 200 for off-loading per hunting rifle and shotgun. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley and Richard's Bay.
   • Richards Bay  - Note a ZAR 350 for loading and ZAR 350 for off-loading per hunting rifle and shotgun. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley and Richards Bay.
   • Bloemfontein    - note the following charge will apply for loading and off-loading per rifle / Shotgun / Handgun: One - ZAR 400 / Two -ZAR 350 per firearm / Three or more - ZAR 300 per firearm. No fee to be paid for service in Cape Town or Johannesburg, only in Kimberley, Richards Bay
   • Skukuza - Station Manager MUST be advised.
   • George - any firearms prohibited from transporting
2. Botswana
   • Kasane / Gaborone / Maun
3. Lesotho
   • Maseru
4. Madagascar
   • Antananarivo
   • Nosy By - any firearms prohibited from transporting
5. Mozambique
   • Beira / Nampula / Maputo / Pemba / Tete / Vilanculos
6. Namibia
   • Windhoek / Walvis Bay - Hunting Rifles may ONLY be transported.
7. Swaziland - (Eswantini)
   • Manzini
8. St Helena
   • St Helena Island / Ascension Island - any firearms prohibited from transporting
9. Zambia
   • Livingstone / Lusaka / Ndola
10. Zimbabwe
    • Bulawayo / Harare
    • Victoria Falls - Hunting Rifles may ONLY be transported.

Rifles and shotguns will not be accepted as Checked Baggage, unless approved no less than three (3) working days prior to departure through AIRLINK Reservations Control Tel +27 11 451 7350. Rifles must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed and accompanied by all documents legally required by the countries of departure, destination and any stopovers. Only five (5) kilograms of ammunition is allowed per Passenger. Ammunition will never be carried in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft. Ammunition must be packed separately and securely from the firearm case.

Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives, toy or replica guns, bows and arrows and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage only at the airline's discretion. This is subject to prior approval and will not be permitted in the cabin or flight deck of the aircraft.

AIRLINK will have no liability or responsibility where any item accepted is removed from Checked Baggage and/or retained or destroyed by security personnel, government officials, airport officials, police or military officials or other airlines involved in the carriage of a Passenger.

Firearms charges on SA Airways (effective for tickets issued on/after 15 May 19)

When International or Domestic Checked baggage is delayed, the baggage service agent may authorise interim expenses to purchase essential items such as toiletries necessary for immediate use only to Passengers who do not reside in the city where the delay of the baggage occurred.

This "first need" expense can be up to an allowance of three hundred and fifty South African Rand (ZAR350) per day after twelve (12) hours until the Passenger is in possession of the Checked Baggage, but limited to five (5) days. The Passenger needs to purchase the “first need” items and receipts for payout are required and will be deducted from the final claim settlement if the Baggage is not located.

The extent of AIRLINK’s liability is determined by the applicable Convention being either the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention.

The liability of the Airline in regards to any claim that the Passenger may have against Airlink in regards to Loss or Damage to Baggage is limited to the higher of:

• the sector fare paid by the Passenger for the Ticket; or
• the applicable Convention in terms of any claims related to the loss of or damage to Baggage, provided that the Passenger comply in all material respects with the procedures in submitting the claims as provided for in the applicable Convention.

Airlink may refuse to carry as baggage:

• Any item reasonably considered to be prohibited or unsuitable for carriage because of its size, shape, weight, content, character, for safety or operational reasons, the comfort of other passengers or which are fragile or perishable having regard to, amongst other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available from us or our authorized agents upon request.
• Items of which the carriage is prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from or to.
• Airlink may refuse the acceptance of baggage for carriage unless it is in reasonable condition as well as properly and securely packed in suitable containers.