Ryanair has been hit by another complaint about charges for hand luggage. The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) has taken the matter to the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, which is a European Commission body.
Seven airlines in all have been targeted for abusive practices related to hand-luggage charges, the BEUC emphasising the need for an EU-wide investigation to address such practices. "We are taking action against seven airlines that are exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU's highest court," says the BEUC director-general Agustín Reyna.
The EU is reviewing air passenger rights' regulations, a key aspect being to clarify which services must be included with the basic fare. Reyna argues that this should include passengers being allowed to carry one small item and one piece of hand luggage. The BEUC complaint, supported by 16 member organizations, also targets easyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Wizzair, Volotea and Vueling.
Under a 2014 ruling by the European Court of Justice, airlines should not charge a supplement for hand luggage, provided it meets certain weight and size specifications and complies with safety regulations. This decision has served as a reference for the BEUC action.
The Spanish Government took action in November of last year, imposing a €179 million fine on five airlines - Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea - for their additional charges on hand luggage. Ryanair's fine was the largest, 107.7 million euros. The European Commission has been considering an appeal by the airlines since January.
5 comments
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CompoWhat are you saying? Everyone used to be allowed a small cabin bag until Ryanair et al realised they can make more money by charging you for a basic need.
Jules OAgree but I think it’s only Ryan air that do this (EJ certainly don’t)
Given that all of these airlines allow a small item of hand luggage to be carried on board for free, and only charge for larger hand luggage items, in my view the focus is misdirected. Where they should ALL be taken to court is for the deliberate policy of separating passengers on the same booking, unless each passenger pays to sit together. This is outrageous - and I hope the fine for each airline is enormous.
CompoI presume that they will revert to what they used to do before they started charging for hand luggage; once a certain limit is reached, they'll take the remainder of the bags from the passengers and put them in the hold.
Whilst the principal maybe right, there won’t be room on board if everyone takes hand luggage (which they inevitably will if it’s included in the basic fare)