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Date Published: 22/11/2024

Spain fines Ryanair and four other airlines 179 million euros for abusive hand luggage policies

Ryanair alone is being fined more than 100 million euros, but will appeal the decision

The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs has imposed fines totalling 179 million euros on five low-cost airlines – Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian and Volotea – for what it describes as abusive practices that violate consumer rights.

The largest penalty, 107.8 million euros, was levied against Ryanair. This is followed by fines of 39.3 million euros for Vueling, 29.1 million euros for easyJet, 1.6 million euros for Norwegian and 1.2 million euros for Volotea.

The fines address a range of issues, including charges for hand luggage, fees for seat selection to accommodate minors or dependent persons with companions, and refusing cash payments at Spanish airports.

Additional infractions included imposing steep fees for printing boarding passes at airport terminals, failing to provide clear pricing and omitting key consumer information, which the ministry said hindered passengers’ ability to make informed decisions.

See also: Ryanair chooses Murcia Airport for its new training flights

Spain’s Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, justified the hefty fines, saying, “There cannot be business models that rely on the violation of consumer rights or abusive practices. It is our obligation to defend consumers, and we will continue to do so.”

The fines were calculated based on the illicit gains the airlines made through these practices, aiming to ensure the penalties are proportional and act as a deterrent. The ministry also prohibited the continuation of the identified practices.

Ryanair has announced plans to appeal the fine, labelling it “illegal”, “unfounded” and politically motivated. CEO Michael O'Leary argued that the fines violate EU legislation, specifically Regulation 1008/2008, which allows airlines to set their own pricing policies without government interference.

O'Leary defended Ryanair’s baggage policies, stating they had been upheld by courts in Spain and the EU. He also emphasised that fees for baggage and check-in have been a tool to reduce costs for passengers by incentivising certain behaviours.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs countered by citing a 2014 European Court ruling, which requires airlines to transport hand luggage free of charge.

All the airlines given these fines have two months to appeal before the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the National Court. If no appeal is lodged, the sanctions will take effect.

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