Warning for tourists after 6.1 earthquake strikes off Crete
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.
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.'
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Greek island of Crete early this morning, Thursday 22 May.
The tremor was felt across several Aegean islands, areas of mainland Greece, Turkey and Israel.
There have been no reports of major damage, and authorities have said there is very little risk of further surface impact, including a tsunami.
It is the second time this month that Crete has been hit by seismic activity, but the latest earthquake was stronger than the first, eight days ago.
Here is the latest travel information from the local government.
The earthquake's epicentre was 56 kilometres northeast of the Cretan capital Heraklion, and the tremor was felt in the cities of Chania and Rethymno on the island, too, as well as in Athens.
According to reports, the earthquake caused landslides on the provincial road network and damage to buildings in Heraklion.
Mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Manolis Menegakis, confirmed to local media that despite the powerful tremors, there have been no other reports of major damage or injuries.
Authorities say they are monitoring the situation closely. "We are vigilant," Menegakis added.
Unlike the most recent quake eight days ago, officials say post-seismic activity is not expected.
Athanassios Ganas, research director at the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens, said: "It is a classic intermediate-depth earthquake, as often occurs in the southern Aegean. There are no expected impacts on structures, nor is it expected to cause a tsunami or affect areas such as Santorini."
Foreign governments have not issued travel advisories as yet, so it is currently still considered safe to visit Greece and its islands.
This also means that, should you choose not to go ahead with your trip, you are unlikely to receive compensation.
Depending on your travel insurance policy, you may be able to receive a refund for some or all of your trip if it includes compensation for cancellations due to natural disasters. Check with your provider and read your terms and conditions carefully.
If you are on holiday in or about to travel to Crete, Kasos or Karpathos, make sure you stay up to date with the latest information.
Crete and its surrounding region are considered one of Europe's most seismically active zones.
In October 2021, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the island just weeks after another tremor killed one person and injured several others.
So whether you're looking for easy hikes through areas of outstanding natural beauty or an epic adventure in the wilderness, these trails provide the perfect opportunity to connect with the great outdoors.
The country's hiking trails also offer a chance to get a glimpse of Türkiye's heritage, as many of the most popular routes pass through traditional villages. The chance to meet local people, try typical rural dishes and witness old customs are just some of the highlights of these timeless paths.
Remember, there's no need to miss out if you don't have enough time to cover a route in its entirety – all can be adjusted or done in stages to suit your travel plans.
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