IATA has accused the European Parliament of meddling in operational and commercial issues that “it does not understand”, following moves to make cabin luggage allowance obligatory, regardless of whether the passenger needs it or not.
“When regulators meddle in commercial or operational issues they don’t understand, they usually get it wrong. Our consumer research tells us that the majority of travellers want to pay the lowest price possible for their ticket and buy the additional services they need. That’s the complete opposite of an amendment that will force airlines to re-bundle their offering,” said Willie Walsh, IATA DG.
“Consumers will be disappointed with higher costs for all, and they will be frustrated with the operational chaos of determining which bags meet the requirements and which do not. If EU Parliamentarians insist on regulating where regulation is not needed, they should be prepared to take responsibility for its negative consequences,” Walsh added.
A proposed amendment to the enforcement of the Passenger Rights regulation by MEPs in the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism insists that passengers be given the right to bring an additional 100cm cabin bag for no charge.
IATA stated that this will, in effect, require everyone to pay for a service that not everyone needs.
