KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 5): Malaysia Airlines will temporarily disallow the check-in baggage allowance for its flights to Europe, citing safety in view of strong head winds on its flight routes to the continent.

From tonight until further notice, the airline will only be able to accommodate cabin baggage of up to 7kg — one piece totalling 7kg per economy class passengers and two pieces totalling 14kg (up to 7kg per piece) for business and first class passengers.

It discouraged passengers from checking in their luggage, saying it had limited ability to carry baggage in cargo, as it flew "a long route" to Europe and in view of "temporary unseasonably strong head winds".

"This longer flight path consumes more jet fuel and for safety reasons, Malaysia Airlines has had to impose temporary limitations on checked-in baggage allowance," it said in a statement on its website.

It said passengers who still wished to check in their luggage could do so, but their baggage would only arrive later.

It added that passengers on connecting flights with through check in might have their baggage offloaded due to the temporary conditions.

MAS said it would continue to assess the situation and update passengers when operations are back to normal.

It said passengers could call the airline at 1300-88-3000 for enquiries on the status of checked-in luggage.