Yukon's Air North holding on to free checked baggage

Air North says it has no plans to charge its passengers a fee to check a bag.

WestJet announced yesterday it will charge $25 to customers paying the lowest economy fare to check their first bag.

Air North does not intend to follow any airline and charge for normal baggage, says Allan Moore, Air North's Chief Operating Officer.

At Air North we have a very generous baggage allowance and we realize that it's a feature that most northern residents really value. Our baggage allowance varies from from 50 to 100 pounds and I don't foresee a day when one of our valued customers will have to pay to bring luggage on board.

The new checked baggage charge by WestJet will take effect October 29.

Air North, based in Whitehorse, connects Yukon's capital to Vancouver, Kelowna,Calgary,Edmonton, Yellowknife and Ottawa. The airline also offers flights to Old Crow, Dawson City,Inuvik and at times Victoria and Las Vegas.