Looking into upcoming travel needs, noted that several EU airlines are charging per weapon and not per gun case when I inquired directly ( not sure this was the case during my previous trips). Some of the information was not evident on the US sites but I was kindly provided the links below. Since my Boyt 2-gun [198cm] case exceeds the 158cm limit, I was informed I would have to pay not only the per gun transport/security fees but also the over-sized baggage fee (Swiss= [$367 per gun one way x 2 x 2] $1468+ Oversize bag fee $230 each way and if over sized and overweight then $633 each way]. Basically it was 3x the economy class fare. To bad I can't get them a second seat like a guitar or a cello [those strings could be deadly]! While several EU airlines offered better itineraries, Emirates won out this round again.
Swiss Air
https://www.swiss.com/za/EN/prepare/baggage/sport-equipment#t-page=pane1
Sport Firearms: 1 bag containing the weapon1 bag containing the ammunition
Number of bags allowed in total-2
158cm (height+width+depth)
USD 287/CAD 375
Charges may apply for the transport of sporting firearms and hunting weapons as a result of regulations in force in either the departure or destination country. These will be charged in addition to the rate for carrying sports equipment.
South Africa USD 80
Ethiopian Airlines Baggage Policy (Effective 09 Jul 19-UFN) https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/ET/EN/information/baggage/excess-and-special-baggage
Sporting/Hunting Weapons plus Ammunition-SPEQ=$100
Sporting/Hunting guns, pistols, rifles plus ammunition (according to IATA DGR Regulations and if packed in a separate bag)
These excess baggage rates shall be applicable per PORTION and ADD should be a transfer point (e.g. for the one way itinerary London-Addis Ababa-Zanzibar, the Excess baggage charge shall be assessed for London-Zanzibar), but if Addis Ababa is a stopover then charge shall be accessed per sector as London-Addis Ababa plus Addis Ababa-Zanzibar
-The excess baggage charge for sporting equipment can be collected in local currency of the departure station.
-Provided that the below three criteria’s are fulfilled, any sporting equipment shall be transported for free on Ethiopian flights.
1)The passenger is carrying only 1 checked-in baggage, making the sporting equipment the 2nd PC
2)The weight of the sporting equipment is less than or equal to 23 Kgs even if it is the 2nd PC.
3) The dimension of the sporting equipment is less than or equal to 158cms or 62 inches,
ANY equipment in excess of the applicable weight and dimension (i.e. 23kgs & 158cms/62 inches respectively) shall be transported as excess baggage based on the established excess baggage rates provided that the dimension fit into the aircraft's belly . Payment is non-refundable/non-re routable and NON-ENDORSABLE
Firearm Declaration Form:
https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/AA/EN/information/essential/conditions-of-carriage
