European officials vote to ban airline carry-on luggage fees to avoid ‘unjustified extra costs' for EU passengers
EUROPEAN officials voted yesterday to ban airline carry-on luggage fees to avoid "unjustified extra costs" for passengers.
An amendment on air passenger rights was approved by the
Advertisement
2
Female hand holding the luggage suitcase weighting on the kilo scales for check the weight prepare check-in at the airport terminal.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The proposal would allow
The new rule - if confirmed in negotiations with
And it comes in a move strongly opposed by the aviation sector.
Advertisement
Most read in Travel
Many low-cost airlines across Europe already include only one small-board item in the ticket without charging an extra fee.
In a statement before yesterday's vote, Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director of the Airlines for Europe (A4E) said: "Europe's airline market is built on choice.
"Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need."
She continued: "What's next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket?
Advertisement
Most read in News Travel
"The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don't."
The new measure would apply to all flights departing or arriving within the 27-nation European Union.
Dramatic moment Ryanair plane is forced to abort landing during Tenerife storm
And it was adopted as part of amendments to passenger rights rules.
It was proposed by the Socialist and Democrats MEP Matteo Ricci in 2023 to strengthen the enforcement of air passenger rights.
Advertisement
He said that the new rule sought to spare passengers of "unjustified extra costs."
And the transport committee has also voted to introduce a common form for compensation and refund claims as well as a defined list of extraordinary circumstances, such as war or natural disaster.
The proposals will go to a vote by the Council of the European Union.
2
Many low-cost airlines across Europe already include only one small-board item in the ticket without charging an extra fee
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
29 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
European commissioner hopes EU and US can agree 'outline' of trade deal ahead of July 9 deadline
There may not be enough time for a 'comprehensive' trade deal between the EU and US ahead of the July 9 deadline, Ireland's European commissioner has said. Michael McGrath has said he hopes the EU and US can at least agree an 'outline' of a trade deal ahead of the deadline. The US administration has threatened to hit EU goods with a 50% tariff, with US president Donald Trump lashing out at the bloc. Speaking in Brussels, Mr McGrath said experience shows that comprehensive trade deals take a long period to complete. 'It may not be possible to have the level of detail that you would normally have in a trade agreement completed by July 9, but hopefully we can have the outline of the agreement that can provide the stability we need,' Mr McGrath said. He said the sooner an agreement could be reached between the two sides, 'the better', given that European companies are being hit with significant existing tariff levels. However, he was cautious about a flat 10% tariff rate, alongside the 25% steel and aluminium tariffs, remaining in place in the case of agreement. EU commissioner Michael McGrath said the sooner an agreement could be reached between the two sides, 'the better', given that European companies are being hit with significant existing tariff levels. Picture: Brian Lawless 'A continuation of the status quo is not a deal, so we need to have an agreement reached as soon as possible.' He described the negotiations as being 'detailed, protracted, and quite challenging', but that both the EU and US were remaining at the table. The justice commissioner also pushed back on criticism of the European Commission over its stance on Gaza, saying the European Council is responsible for setting its stance out. He said the College of Commissioners had a 'good discussion' on a report outlining that Israel may have breached its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement in carrying out its war in Gaza. Mr McGrath called for a full ceasefire in Gaza, alongside the return of humanitarian aid to the enclave. 'What we are witnessing transpire in Gaza is abhorrent and it is untenable. It cannot continue and the international community has to work together to find a solution. 'It is unconscionable that we are watching on our social media feed and on television, scenes of children who are clearly malnourished and emaciated, while at the same time thousands of trucks of food and medicine are waiting at the border. 'Israel needs to allow those trucks into Gaza so that lives can be saved.' Meanwhile, Mr McGrath said the commission would be examining the matter of dynamic pricing, saying he was 'determined' to address the matter. Demand pricing or surge pricing is when the price change of a product or service, for example, concert tickets, is dependent on demand. This can be used in the sake of concert tickets, but is also used by hotels and airlines to increase prices as supply drops. 'It doesn't mean it will necessarily lead to a ban, but at a minimum, more information is needed,' Mr McGrath said 'If you're joining a queue to buy concert tickets and you're doing it on the basis that prices start at €70, you should also be told that prices could be €800 by the time you get to the end of the queue.' Read More Powell says Fed can wait to reduce interest rates as Trump demands cuts
Dublin Live
32 minutes ago
- Dublin Live
Urgent holiday warning for Irish tourists as measles outbreak hits top travel spots
As the summer holiday season approaches, the HSE has issued a critical warning to Irish travellers due to a concerning rise in measles outbreaks across numerous popular tourist destinations. Cases have been reported not only in various European countries but also in North America and parts of Asia, leading the HSE to express its worry about potential measles outbreaks in Ireland this summer. Measles, one of the most highly infectious diseases, continues to "spread rapidly among individuals who are unvaccinated". Several countries experiencing significant outbreaks include many top holiday destinations, prompting Ireland's health officials to encourage travellers to ensure their vaccinations are up to date before travelling abroad. The HSE strongly recommends all travellers, particularly families with young children, to verify their vaccination status and receive the MMR vaccine if necessary. A spokesperson stated: "The best way to protect you and your family against measles is to ensure all family members are up to date with the recommended doses of MMR vaccine before travelling abroad. "MMR vaccine is available free of charge at your GP for individuals born on or after January 1st 1978 who are not age-appropriately vaccinated. In addition, infants aged 6 months to under 12 months are eligible to receive an MMR vaccine, free of charge at their GP, prior to travel abroad. It is recommended that individuals receive MMR vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel." "HSE recommends that all people who are eligible for MMR vaccination should be vaccinated, regardless of whether planning on travel abroad or not." This warning is issued in response to "large outbreaks" of measles reported across Europe. The most recent measles report from the ECDC indicates that the highest number of cases were recorded in France, Spain, Romania, Netherlands and Belgium, reports the Irish Mirror. Significant numbers of cases have also been reported in the USA, Canada and some Asian countries - including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. The HSE explains that measles begins with cold-like symptoms around 10 days after infection. A measles rash appears a few days later. This rash emerges around two to four days following the onset of your first symptoms and fades after about a week. It typically starts on your head or neck before spreading to the rest of your body. The rash can be flat or slightly raised, merging into large blotchy patches. On white skin, it appears brown or red. It may be less visible on brown and black skin. The rash may cause slight itching for some individuals. You will feel most unwell on the first or second day after the rash appears. Some individuals may also develop small grey-white spots in their mouth. However, not everyone with measles will have these spots. These spots usually appear before the measles rash. If you have these spots along with other symptoms or a rash, it's highly likely you have measles. These spots usually last for a few days. Measles is highly contagious, spreading through coughs and sneezes from someone who's infected. To help prevent its spread, the HSE advises: "Tell your child's school or childcare if your child has measles. Children in your child's group or class may need to get the MMR vaccine. Do not go to work, school or childcare until at least four days after you first got the measles rash. Avoid contact with young children, pregnant women and people who have a weak immune system." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Dublin Live
an hour ago
- Dublin Live
Irish tourists warned of extreme 44C heat in Spain, Portugal, and France as Europe faces heatwave
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Irish holidaymakers are being warned as an extreme heatwave hits Europe - just as many are preparing for their summer getaways. Despite a rainy and breezy forecast at home in Ireland, popular tourist destinations are set to sizzle with temperatures possibly soaring to 44C due to high pressure dominating much of Europe. And Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly has sounded the alarm for Irish tourists visiting three hotspots. He said: "Heading for Spain, Portugal or France this weekend? Prepare for some hot weather, could hit up to 44c in parts of Portugal and Spain and up to 40c in parts of France. Yes I know it's summer and yes these countries do get hot but this is a little early to see these temps and us Irish aren't built for that heat." With Northern Europe caught in an unseasonably early heatwave, experts forecast temperatures will climb even further in the weeks ahead. The French national meteorological service, Meteo France, has issued warnings that such intense heat poses a threat to all, including those in good health. Southern Europe is facing a more dire scenario, with the Greek island of Chios currently in the throes of a fierce wildfire. Residents have been evacuated as the parched island ignited over the weekend. Portugal has already recorded a scorching 40.5C this year, while certain areas in Spain have experienced peaks of over 42C. Wageningen University's environmental systems analysis professor, Bas Amelung, predicts future summer temperatures in favoured holiday spots like Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey could rise to uncomfortable levels. "Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional 'sun and sand' summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer," he warns. "So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be 'too hot', they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
