150 million euro fine for Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea because they charge for hand luggage

The decision is made by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs

ROME – A historic decision against low cost airlines comes from Spain. Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea will be forced to pay a fine (total) of 150 million euros for the charge for hand baggage in the cabin and beyond. “An illegal practice” that consumer associations have been denouncing for years. The decision is made by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

In addition to this practice, classified as “very serious” – we read on El Mundo – the sanctions include three other illicit practices: the charge for choosing a seat in case of travel with children and dependent people, the prohibition on cash payment for the purchase of tickets at airports and the “lack of transparency in contractual information” on prices, which makes comparability between offers difficult.

The extent of the fines received by each company, however, is not known: according to what we understand Ryanair received the largest fine. “The airlines now have the right to appeal to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs” and “once the administrative procedure has been completed, they can go to court”.