Six American Airlines (AA) airplanes arrived at Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International Airport yesterday carrying some 200,000 pounds of luggage. The cargo represents the personal effects of thousands of Dominicans returning home for the Christmas holidays on scores of AA flights whose excess baggage stayed behind. During the past two weeks, aviation officials, airport authorities and airline Personnel have been deluged with complaints from enraged and frustrated travelers who make daily visits to airport storage rooms in search of their "lost" suitcases and packages. Delays in delivery and non-delivery of luggage have been exceptionally notable this year due to the huge numbers of "absent Dominicans" who made the trip home for Christmas. Typically, Dominicans pay overweight charges as they load up suitcases, bags, trunks, and boxes with gifts for family and friends. More over, Dominicans arriving at Christmas time who have been away for at least six months are permitted to bring electric appliances with a value of up to US$1,000 free of import duties. Thus, TV’s, stereos, air conditioners, and even refrigerators arrive by the dozen and fill the cargo holds of aircraft way beyond each flight’s normal capacity. This year, air travelers have complained that not only was their baggage delayed, but it also arrived damaged or ransacked. Many passengers claimed that the contents of their bags were missing or damaged. An AA spokesman denied that suitcases had been violated, and argued that luggage opened due to over-packing and excess weight.
