I am writing this letter at the Abu Dhabi Airport after having just checked in on AirAsia Flight D7 2403. Apparently this is the inaugural flight. Whatever.

I had not booked for check-in luggage as I was only going to be carrying a small bag weighing about 5kg. However, following my meeting earlier, I ended up having to carry some liquid samples in little bottles and so I had to check in my luggage anyway weighing under 7kg in total.

For check-in luggage at Abu Dhabi Airport, AirAsia, charges are 33 Dirhams for the first 15kgs. You pay that at the airport's Excess Luggage counter.

There, they charge you a further 22 Dirhams for Service Tax and another 30 Dirhams for Airport Tax. In any case, I paid a total of 85 Dirhams (RM85). And so did another passenger in front of me and so di many other passengers.

In my case, I have flown AirAsia X before and I know the deal. I was prepared to pay the charges but 33 Dirhams is a rip-off of course.

If I had asked for check-in luggage online, it would have only cost me RM5. But these other airport charges at the airport were shocking to say the least.

I think to be fair, AirAsia should post this information for all bookings for flights out of the Abu Dhabi Airport. It is the sudden imposition of these strange fees and the amount charged relative to the excess or in my case, the checked-in luggage, that is rather annoying.

I know that in a short while I shall be boarding a plane with a lot of very angry and annoyed passengers. The least AirAsia can do is to treat us all to some free food. But that will only remain a dream - that is all that you are allowed for free anyway.