Latest news with #AgustínReyna
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
EU countries green lights charges for cabin baggage
Proposals to allow charging air passengers for carry-on cabin baggage were green-lit by EU transport ministers on Thursday as part of wider reforms of EU air passenger rights, despite resistance from Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. As Euronews reported, the proposal would create a new free hand luggage item, one that can be slipped under the seat, leaving other stowed cabin bags exposed to charges. The agreed proposals would mean airlines must reroute passengers at the earliest opportunity, including through other carriers or transport modes when appropriate. If rerouting isn't offered within three hours, passengers may book their own travel and claim up to 400% of the original ticket cost in reimbursement. Delays of over four hours on short and intra-EU flights (under 3,500 km) will trigger €300 in compensation. Long-haul flights (over 3,500 km) will warrant €500 after six hours of delay. Airlines would no longer be permitted to invoke "extraordinary circumstances" unless they prove all reasonable measures were taken to avoid disruption. Airlines would also be explicitly required to provide food, drinks, and accommodation during delays. If they fail to do so, passengers may arrange these themselves and claim costs back. To bolster enforcement, the rules impose stricter information requirements. Airlines must clearly inform passengers of their rights at booking and during complaints handling. New timelines are foreseen: passengers would have up to six months to submit a claim, and airlines must respond within 14 days. 'The position finally adopted today answers to an urgent call by air passengers and airlines for up-to-date, clearer and more straightforward rules. The revised rules will bring over 30 new rights to the air passengers, applicable from the moment when they buy a ticket, until they arrive at their destination, and in some cases even beyond. It is a historical milestone as an agreement couldn't have been reached in the last 12 years,' Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure of Poland, whose country holds the presidency of the Council, told reporters. European consumer organisation BEUC criticised the position adopted by member states, saying it 'substantially decreases several key rights'. 'Although the deal improved some rights on paper, giving consumers improved access to information in case of disruption, care and assistance, it represents a substantial rollback of other key rights. Take compensation for instance. The new eligibility thresholds will deprive the majority of passengers from their compensation rights as most delays are between two and four hours,' Agustín Reyna, BEUC's director general, said after the vote. 'Consumer groups have already pointed out that airlines should stop charging passengers for their hand luggage by lodging a complaint with the consumer protection authorities and the European Commission last May. Such practices are contrary to EU rules and EU top court case law which states that hand luggage is an essential aspect of passengers' carriage. On the contrary, the text adopted by the Council legitimises charging for reasonably sized hand luggage,' the director added. The next legislative steps Now it is the turn of the European Parliament to adopt its position on the file. If it does so, the text will enter interinstitutional negotiations with member states, the Parliament and the Commission to find a common position on the new rules. BEUC lamented the fact that the revision is being conducted through an expedited procedure that gives shorter deadlines in the Parliament, which will only need to approve the proposal by an absolute majority. Global police organisation Interpol says that 20 people have been arrested as part of a major international operation against the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The arrests were made between March and May in an operation that spanned 12 countries. It was led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with Interpol and Europol. "The operation was initiated by Spain in late 2024, when specialised officers carried out online patrols and identified instant messaging groups dedicated to the circulation of child sexual exploitation images," Interpol said in a statement. Through Interpol and Europol, Spanish officers alerted authorities in countries where the alleged perpetrators were residing. Spanish authorities arrested seven suspects, including a healthcare worker and a teacher. "The healthcare worker allegedly paid minors from Eastern Europe for explicit images, while the teacher is accused of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material via various online platforms," Interpol said. In Spain, the searches carried out by police resulted in the seizure of desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets and digital storage devices. Authorities in seven Latin American countries detained 10 suspects, including a teacher in Panama. The remaining arrests were made in the US and other parts of Europe. "Bulgaria, Italy and Portugal participated at the European level," an Interpol spokesperson told Euronews. So far, 68 additional suspects have been identified and further investigations are underway globally, according to Interpol. "Information gathered during the operation has been shared with law enforcement authorities in 28 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania," Interpol added. The arrests were preceded by talks between Interpol and Spanish investigators in Chile at the Latin America Victim Identification Task Force meeting. The operation was presented there to specialised officers from across Latin America. Authorities exchanged information on cases, provided concrete leads and launched coordinated actions.
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Ryanair welcomes complaint regarding hand luggage fees
Ryanair has welcomed the filing of a complaint with the European Commission against it and six other European airlines over fees charged for hand luggage. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) filed the complaint last week, alleging the carriers are charging "undue fees to consumers for their hand baggage". It is calling for an EU-wide investigation into the commercial practices of the targeted airlines and the wider sector. Ryanair, along with EasyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air are listed in the complaint. Director General of BEUC Agustín Reyna said the seven airlines "are exploiting consumers and ignoring the EU's top court, which ruled that charging for reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal." "This was confirmed by recent fines in Spain, which made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost," he added. In response, Ryanair said the complaint "will confirm that Ryanair's baggage policy fully complies with EU Law (EU Reg 1008/2008), which grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices, including prices of optional services". The airline added that it allows each passenger a "generous" 40cm x 25cm x 20cm personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an additional fee should they wish. It said "this policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers". In 2014, the EU Court of Justice ruled that "carriage of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements". Ryanair said this ruling confirmed that "airlines are entitled to charge passengers for carrying extra bags, as long as the carriage of passengers' precious and indispensable items (i.e, a small personal bag) is included in the price of the ticket". In addition to the complaint over hand baggage, the European Consumer Organisation also wants the EU to clarify what services should be included in the basic ticket price. It said its data "show that consumers expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets." "Policymakers should also define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money," it added.
The Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Calls for EU-investigation into seven airlines - including Ryanair - for unfair hand luggage fees
AN UMBRELLA GROUP for European consumer organisations has called for an EU-wide investigation into seven airlines – including Ryanair – for charging 'undue fees' for hand baggage. BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation, this week filed a complaint to the European Commission and the EU's Consumer Protection Network against the seven airlines for 'exploiting consumers'. Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, said the airlines are 'ignoring the EU top court who ruled that charging reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal'. In addition to Ryanair, the other airlines targeted include Easyjet, Norwegian Airlines, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizzair. BEUC said that both EU law and associated case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) entitle consumers to fly with reasonably sized hand baggage without additional costs. However, it said many airlines 'continue to impose additional fees on consumers for this service'. It noted that last year, the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs imposed fines on airlines for a total of €179m in relation to fees on hand baggage. While BEUC acknowledges that the decision was issued in Spain and mainly applies to consumers in Spain, similar practices by the same airlines and others are still taking place across Europe. Reyna said this court decision in Spain 'made clear that passengers can bring their reasonably sized hand baggage onboard at no additional cost'. BEUC also accused airlines of using 'different and inconsistent wording' in relation to luggage in order to 'mislead consumers'. Meanwhile, the CEJU has ruled that baggage that is not checked in must be considered as a necessary item for passengers and there should not be subject to a price supplement if it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight and dimensions. Elsewhere, Reyna remarked that data from BEUC shows that consumers 'expect to see a small item and a piece of hand luggage when buying basic tickets'. 'Policymakers should define hand luggage's 'reasonable size and weight' to avoid surprises at the airport and ultimately reduce the number of disputes costing consumers and airlines time and money,' he added. In a statement to The Journal , a Ryanair spokesperson said the airline 'welcomed the filing of this complaint to the EU Commission, which will confirm that Ryanair's bags policy fully complies with EU Law, which grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices'. Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a 40 x 25 x 20 cm personal bag on board for free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an extra fee starting at €30 per flight, and €60 if done at the airport. While Ryanair described its personal bag allowance as 'generous', it is smaller than all the other airlines targeted by BEUC. 'If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers,' said Ryanair. Ryanair also hit out at online travel agents, who the spokesperson said 'continue to induce unsuspecting consumers into paying unjustified hidden mark-ups for flights that cost much less when booked directly on airlines' websites'. 'Outlawing these harmful OTA overcharges and enforcing transparency in OTA pricing would be a much better use of BEUC and its members' resources,' said Ryanair. Meanwhile, A4E (Airlines for Europe) claimed the action by BEUc 'would decrease consumer choice and oblige all passengers to pay for additional services that they may not all need'. It added that the decision of the Spanish Consumer Protection Agency on cabin bags is currently under appeal and the European Commission is looking into whether it complies with EU law. Advertisement Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Euronews
23-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
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. Loading content... This interactive content requires JavaScript to display properly. You can access it directly via this link.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Related Singapore Airlines, Emirates, British Airways: The best and worst airlines according to passengers Ryanair launches 'Prime' subscription service for frequent travellers. Is it worth it? 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.'
