It’s not just luggage: other practices for which Consumption fined Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea

After years of customer complaints, the Ministry The Consumer Protection Department fined several airlines budget for the illegal actions they have committed. The fine of more than €150 million is the highest the ministry has imposed in any area.

Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea were punished by this executive decision. The main practice that motivated this is charging additional fees to users who wear hand luggage in the cabin of the plane. This measure, FACUA argues, violates the Air Navigation Act, which stipulates that “the carrier will be obliged to carry free of charge in the aircraft cabin as carry-on baggage items and packaging that the traveler carries with him,” unless there are “security reasons, related to the weight or size of the object in relation to the performance of the aircraft” to avoid this.

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Already in October last year European Parliament unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the right of passengers to carry hand luggage without additional payment, but airlines did not follow this rule. Now the Spanish ministry has imposed the largest fine on these companies for this practice, so criticized by travelers.

Although it is the most famous, it is not the only reason for this multi-million dollar sanction. Also included three other illegal activities What are all these airlines doing?

The sanctioned practices are the following:

• Fee for carrying hand luggage on board. Some airlines charge a fee for bringing a bag or backpack on board, even if the baggage is not checked. This practice, considered “offensive”, is the main offense for which it is punished.
• Seat selection fee when traveling with dependents: Some airlines provide separate seats for parents and their young children or dependents, and charge an additional fee if you want to change that assignment so that the child or dependent travels with an adult. This measure could cause significant harm to vulnerable people and leave them in a situation of insecurity.
• Lack of transparency of contract information: During the purchasing process, the initially displayed price may gradually increase, making it difficult for consumers to compare offers and make informed decisions. These unfair business practices cause economic harm and distort companies’ rankings in online searches. Internet.
• Ban on cash payments when purchasing tickets at airports: This measure limits payment options for users and may cause significant inconvenience, especially for those who prefer or are forced to use cash.

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After hearing the news of the sanctions this Friday, the four affected airlines announced that they were preparing. Resources before the Administration and do not rule out going to court. The president Airline Association (ALA)Javier Gandara is convinced that they will be right. The organization, which brings together more than 60 airlines and 85% of the country’s air traffic, understands that the Consumer’s decision is contrary to European regulations, in particular the principle of freedom of pricing recognized in the 2008 Community Regulation, and constitutes “interference in tariff setting“

“All airlines Allow carry-on luggage into the cabin it can be placed under the front seat and there is an additional charge for this. cart but others don’t. We believe that this is clearly explained, but we are at the disposal of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Associations to improve transparency“, an industry representative said at a press conference.