Airline’s leaked email exposes sneaky act

Aussies planning a trip to Europe who have booked internal flights on this airline should expect extra eyes on their carry-on.

Aussies planning a trip to the UK who have booked internal flights on easyJet should expect extra eyes on their carry-on.

The British budget airline is reportedly paying airport staff at seven UK and Channel Islands airports a bonus if they spot oversized bags before passengers board their flights.

Details of the Gate Bag Revenue Programme were revealed in a leaked internal email, first reported by the Jersey Evening Post, in December last year.

The internal incentive scheme is run by Swissport, the ground handling company contracted by easyJet at seven airports, including Birmingham International Airport, Glasgow, Jersey, and Newcastle.

The scheme is still ongoing.

British budget airline easyJet is reportedly paying airport staff to identify oversized carry-on bags. Picture: Hannibal Hanschke/POOL/AFP

The email was allegedly sent to staff by Swissport’s Dean Martin back in November 2023, with staff involved in the scheme “eligible to receive £1 ($A2.10) for every gate bag taken”.

The message described the initiative as a way to “reward agents doing the right thing” and made clear that internal tracking would be used to offer support and training where needed.

According to the airline’s website, each passenger can bring one small carry on for free but it must fit under the seat.

Each passenger can bring one small carry on for free but it must fit under the seat.

“It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels) and must be kept under the seat in front of you,” the site reads.

“That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you’re able to lift and carry it yourself.”

For anything bigger (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm), passengers have the option to book a ‘large cabin bag’ for a fee starting at £5.99 ($A12.50).

If passengers arrive at the gate with an unbooked oversized bag, they’ll need to cough up £48 ($A100) to place it in hold.

Staff who identify oversized bags before passengers board reportedly get paid a $2 bonus. Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP

The scheme applies to operations at seven airports, including Birmingham International Airport, Glasgow, Jersey, and Newcastle.

According to The Sunday Times, similar payments are being made to ground handlers from a different provider.

Staff employed by DHL Supply Chain at airports, including London Gatwick, Bristol, and Manchester, also receive bonuses when they identify non-compliant cabin bags on specific flights. The exact figures were not disclosed, but it described the amounts as nominal.

Meanwhile, there is been major backlash against baggage fees in Europe.

In June, the transport committee of the European Parliament backed a proposal that would give passengers the right to carry an additional piece of hand luggage (7kg) on board at no extra charge, Simply Flying reported.

This would apply across all carriers operating within the EU and will effectively standardise hand baggage allowances regardless of airline fare structure.

However, the publication reported the measure still requires approval from at least 55 per cent of EU member states before it can take effect.