Spain suspects leading low-cost airlines of unreasonable fees from passengers
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Spanish Ministry of Consumer Protection launched an investigation against seven low-cost airlines, including Vueling, Wizzair and Ryanair. The ministry is investigating whether it is a violation of Spanish laws, “abuse” and “unfair” to impose mandatory hand luggage surcharges on certain flights of these airlines.
The ministry notes that these airlines strive to attract passengers with the lowest possible base prices, but the final price is often significantly higher, including by paying for services “which are usually taken for granted”, such as hand luggage.
The investigation was launched after the Spanish consumer protection organization Facua approached the ministry. In it, the requirement to pay for the carriage of hand luggage is considered illegal, since under the Spanish law on aviation services, airlines are “obliged to carry luggage carried by passengers as hand luggage free of charge.”
In recent years, many low-cost airlines have begun to introduce a fee for hand luggage, with the exception of a handbag or a small backpack. In 2019, the Italian authorities already fined Ryanair and Wizzair €4 million for this, considering it a violation of consumer rights. The Spanish authorities can impose a significantly higher fine for this – up to four or six times the amount received from this profit.
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