The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan has developed a draft amendment to Order No. 540 of April 30, 2015, which regulates the rules for transporting passengers, baggage, and cargo by air. The document aims to strengthen the legal protection of consumers and legalize a number of controversial issues regarding hand luggage and compensation payments. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The new project will regulate the transportation of musical instruments, including national instruments — dombra and kobyz. Passengers will be given the choice to carry them in the aircraft cabin as hand luggage, purchase a separate passenger seat for them, or check them in as registered baggage.
Dimensional requirements are established for carrying instruments in the aircraft cabin. The instrument must be in a reliable protective case; dimensions must not exceed 110×35×30 cm; the maximum weight is limited to ten kilograms.
In addition, the document enshrines the possibility of transporting animals in the aircraft cabin (in accordance with the internal regulations of the airlines themselves).
To protect the financial interests of passengers, the Ministry of Transport plans to set a time limit for the payment of fines for flight delays. Airlines will be obliged to transfer funds within no more than ten calendar days from the date of filing the corresponding application. Also, the carrier's material liability for damage to unregistered baggage (hand luggage) is introduced if its guilt is proven.
A separate block in the rules prescribes the algorithm of actions in the event of an operational replacement of an aircraft with a lower-capacity board. In such situations, the following categories of citizens will have priority boarding rights: minor passengers; persons with disabilities; passengers with serious illnesses; pregnant women; citizens of retirement age.
Additionally, the provision of targeted benefits for air travel for persons with disabilities will be enshrined at the legislative level. The draft regulatory legal act is posted on the 'Open NPA' internet portal for public discussion until July 27.
In April, the Ministry of Transport already reported on planned changes to air transport rules. It was reported that for the first time, musical instruments would be allowed to be taken into the aircraft cabin as hand luggage.