HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

On Wednesday, September 21, the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament (PETI) unanimously passed a motion that calls upon airlines operating within the European Union to ensure passengers can bring hand luggage into the cabin without incurring additional expenses.

Over the past few years many low-cost airlines have enforced strict baggage rules and charged passengers for carrying a suitcase onto the plane. For instance, Ryanair allows only a small handbag or backpack for free, while any kind of wheeled luggage comes with an extra fee.

Only last month, Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs took action against several budget carriers for their hand luggage policies. Now, Brussels is also addressing this issue, with the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament unanimously voting to demand that airlines let passengers bring a cabin bag for free.

The driving force behind this resolution was MEP Jordi Cañas from Ciudadanos, who included a specific request in the text for the European Commission and Member States to establish a judgement from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). This judgement would categorise hand luggage as an "essential element" for passengers and, consequently, prohibit additional charges for it. However, despite this judgement, certain airlines have continued to impose fees for carry-on baggage.

The commission said last week that “Low-cost companies are doing business with the price of tickets by hiding the supplement for carrying cabin luggage until the end of purchase. Europe has already spoken out on the matter and, even so, Member States continue to allow airlines playing with prices and deceiving travellers. This must end.”

Among the airlines subject to sanctions are Ryanair, Vueling, Easyjet, and Volotea, as reported by the consumer association Facua. The document emphasises that, according to the CJEU's ruling, hand luggage must be considered a "vital component" of passenger transportation, as long as it adheres to "reasonable requirements" regarding weight and dimensions.

In essence, the cost of transporting hand luggage should not be subject to extra charges, as the "price freedom" of airlines does not include pricing for hand luggage. Member States of the EU are now urged to ensure compliance with this ruling and, in the interim, work toward transparency in disclosing any fees associated with hand luggage to bolster consumer protection.

What to Do If You Are Charged for Hand Luggage

The Air Navigation Law, particularly in Article 97, stipulates that luggage transportation is inclusive in the ticket price. However, the challenge lies in the weight and volume limits set by each airline. Some airlines have notably restrictive limits for hand luggage.

But it's not just about measurements; you must also consider weight limitations, which can be even more stringent. Typically, companies impose a weight limit of 10 kilograms, though certain airlines like Qatar Airways and Emirates restrict it to 7 kg.

Here are the steps to take if you are charged extra for carry-on luggage:

• Contact the airline directly through email or its website to file a complaint.
• Lodge a complaint with the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs in your Autonomous Community or the European Consumer Center in Spain. However, note that the latter no longer handles this type of complaint against some airlines, including Ryanair.
• Pursue a legal remedy by taking the matter to court. Since the claim is for less than 2,000 euros, you do not need to engage a lawyer or attorney, making it a cost-free option.

In 2022, three Spanish courts ruled against Ryanair for imposing additional charges on passengers for carrying hand luggage into the cabin. The Spanish judicial system deemed this practice abusive and asserted that hand luggage is an essential amenity for travellers, and its cost should be encompassed within the ticket fare. However, airlines are still permitted to charge for checked baggage, as it is not regarded as essential and may incur additional fuel-related expenses.

Hand Luggage Policies by Airlines

Different airlines have different policies when it comes to hand luggage:

• Vueling permits one piece of luggage measuring 40 x 20 x 30 centimetres without weight restrictions, to be placed under the front seat.
• Ryanair allows a small piece of luggage measuring 40 x 20 x 25 centimetres without additional charges. Passengers opting for the Priority service can carry a second piece of luggage weighing up to 10 kg and enjoy priority boarding, with costs starting at 6 euros and going up to 36.90 euros.
• EasyJet permits a small package measuring up to 45 x 36 x 20 centimetres, including handles and wheels, to fit under the front seat, with a weight limit of 15 kilograms. Passengers looking to carry a larger carry-on bag (maximum 56 x 45 x 25 centimetres) on EasyJet can choose the "Flexi," "Up Front," or "Extra Legroom" fares or directly add a second piece of luggage when purchasing a ticket, starting at 7.99 euros.

Source

https://spanishnewstoday.com/eu_demands_that_all_airlines_allow_free_hand_luggage_2248025-a.html
https://www.20minutos.es/viajes/actualidad/union-europea-exige-reconocer-derecho-todos-pasajeros-llevar-consigo-maleta-mano-gratis-5175957/