European budget airlines' hand luggage fees ‘violate EU laws', say consumer organisations
A group of consumer organisations has asked national consumer watchdogs and the European Commission to conduct an inquiry into what they allege are unfair hand luggage charges imposed by budget airlines.
It comes just months after Spain fined five low-cost carriers for the same reason.
The latest complaint claims the baggage fees are in violation of EU consumer protection laws.
Agustín Reyna, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), said the airlines are 'exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU top court'.
The coalition of 15 consumer rights organisations from around Europe has filed the complaint against what they say are abusive and illegal luggage fees levied by low-cost airlines.
The seven carriers targeted are EasyJet, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air.
'Today we are taking action against seven airlines who are exploiting consumers and are ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal,' said Reyna.
The consumer groups argue that the fees for hand luggage contravene a ruling from more than a decade ago by the European Court of Justice.
"In 2014, the European Court of Justice ruled that the carriage of hand luggage cannot be subject to a surcharge, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions and complies with the applicable safety requirements,' they said.
The named low-cost carriers levy extra charges for luggage they claim is 'oversized' but which should come under the size and weight measurements considered 'reasonable' by the EU, the consumer groups say.
BEUC says that airlines' disregard of this legal obligation has resulted in confusing and inconsistent practices across the EU.
It argues that current discrepancies in companies' hand luggage policies make it difficult for consumers to compare prices or make informed economic decisions.
The complaint comes months after Spanish authorities fined five of the same airlines (excluding Wizz Air and Transavia) €179 million for "abusive practices" including passenger fees for hand luggage.
Ryanair was handed the steepest fine at €107 million, followed by Vueling with €39 million, and EasyJet at €29 million.
Recently, financial news site Tradingpedia delved into the myriad hidden fees and taxes charged by European airlines on top of the basic air fare.
Their report found that Wizz Air tops the list with airlines' not-so-obvious fees for a flight, charging a total of £207.93 (€245) for several optional, yet sometimes unavoidable fees such as checked baggage fees, online booking fees, and rescue fees.
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Ryanair ranks second, charging its passengers £198.58 (€234) on top of the air fare for the same services. EasyJet has the third-highest fees at £180.48 (€213), followed by Vueling with £151.20 (€179).
British Airways appears to have the lowest additional fees at only £64 (€75). Norwegian has the second-lowest fees at £71.53 (€84) in total, while Jet2 charges £91.50 (€107) on average.
'Many airlines charge for services that appear optional but are often unavoidable,' the report found, 'such as the so-called rescue fee for missed departure, group booking fees, and even infant charges, ranging from £25 (€29) at Ryanair and easyJet to up to £137 (€162) at Vueling.'
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