Consumer rights organisations in Europe have called on the European Commission and consumer watchdogs to look into allegedly illegal hand-luggage charges imposed by budget airlines.
The complaint claims the baggage fees levied by low-cost airlines are in violation of EU consumer protection laws.
Agustín Reyna, Director General of the European Consumer Organisation, said: “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 seven carriers targeted are easyJet, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizz Air, according Euronews.
In 2014, the European Court of Justice ruled that hand luggage could not be subject to a surcharge, provided it met “reasonable requirements” in terms of weight and dimensions and complied with the applicable safety requirements.
The consumer groups are arguing that the fees contradict this ruling, alleging that the low-cost carriers charge extra for luggage they claim is ‘oversized’ despite being within the size and weight measurements considered reasonable by the EU.
Last year, the Guardian reported that Spain had fined five of the same airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea) for charging passengers for hand luggage and seat reservations.
