Demand lodged to abolish hand luggage fees
European consumer protection associations have lodged a formal complaint against several low-cost airlines, including easyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling, Transavia, and Wizz Air, calling for an investigation into hand luggage fees. The complaint follows a request already made to the National Civil Aviation Authority of Portugal with the intention to halt these fees.
According to DECO, the complaint alleges that more and more air carriers are imposing supplementary charges for passengers traveling with hand luggage, a practice that, they argue, contravenes the aviation sector's long-standing norms.
The European Union is now being urged to scrutinize the entire sector at its level, following the lead of Spain, which has imposed penalties on five budget airlines for undisclosed and illegal luggage fees, totaling €179 million. Ryanair was fined €108 million, and easyJet was fined €29 million.
DECO considers these charges problematic and characterizes them as abusive and unlawful. The association claims that these fees, which can reach €75, are often disguised as optional but are practically unavoidable. Spanish consumer rights group Facua has been instrumental in these legal actions, securing multiple victories against airlines over baggage fees.
The complaint argues that these charges exploit consumers and defy a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling that prohibits airlines from charging extra fees for reasonably sized hand luggage that meets size, weight, and safety regulations. Consumers should not, according to DECO, be required to pay extra to carry small luggage.
Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, called for EU lawmakers to prevent these fees as part of strengthening passenger rights. The complaint emphasizes the need for the European Commission to take regulatory action to ensure consumer protection, including clarifying what services, such as hand luggage carriage, must be included in the basic ticket price.
This scrutiny follows a series of enforcement actions led by consumer rights groups across Europe, with Spain taking a leading role. The imposition of hand luggage fees contradicts the EU's highest court decision, and the ongoing investigation may lead to regulatory clarity and potentially a ban on these fees. The airlines named in the complaint are accountable for charges that may contravene EU law.
- The aerospace industry, specifically the low-cost airlines mentioned, is facing scrutiny from European finance regulators due to allegations that the companies are imposing unlawful hand luggage fees, which contravene long-standing aviation norms and a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling.
- The general-news landscape has been buzzing with reports of ongoing investigations into the airline industry's business practices, with politics playing a role as European lawmakers consider strengthening passenger rights to prevent abusive and unlawful fees.
- In the broader context of the industry, this financial controversy highlights the need for stricter regulations in the aerospace sector, particularly regarding hand luggage fees, as consumer protection organizations push for clarification of what services should be included in the basic ticket price.
