Airline Consumers Lodge Complaints Regarding Excess Hand Luggage Fees
The European Parliament's Transport and Tourism Committee has voted in favour of a proposal to abolish carry-on baggage fees and allow passengers to bring a free piece of hand luggage weighing up to seven kilograms, along with a personal item such as a handbag or laptop bag [1][2]. However, this proposal is yet to become law and requires approval from at least 55% of EU member states, as well as successful interinstitutional negotiations with the European Commission and Council of the EU [1][2].
Currently, airlines are not prohibited from charging carry-on baggage fees, but the European Court of Justice has ruled that airlines cannot charge extra for hand luggage deemed "essential" for travel if it meets reasonable dimensions and weight limits [3]. In response to this, Airlines for Europe, representing carriers like Ryanair, TAP, and easyJet, agreed on a standard under-seat bag size of 40 x 30 x 15 cm to improve transparency [3].
Several low-cost European airlines, including Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea, have faced fines and lawsuits by consumer groups over unauthorized hand luggage fees. For instance, Spain levied €179 million in fines against these airlines for such practices, compelling them to halt these unauthorized charges [2].
Three airlines, Easyjet, Wizzair, and Vueling Airlines, are being sued by the Federal Association of Consumer Centres (VZBV) for allegedly charging unauthorized carry-on baggage fees [4]. The lawsuit against WizzAir Hungary Ltd. is with the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court, while the lawsuits against Easyjet Airline Company Limited and Vueling Airlines S.A. are with the Berlin Court of Appeals and the Higher Regional Court of Hamm, respectively [4].
VZBV board member Ramona Pop stated that this practice is consumer deception and violates existing law [5]. Pop called for the European Union to establish clear standards and measurements for free carry-on baggage to protect consumers from hidden fees [5].
The ongoing proceedings against these airlines reflect ongoing efforts to standardize and make carry-on baggage policies fairer and more transparent for passengers traveling within Europe.
References: [1] ntv.de. (2021, April 28). EU-Parlament stimmt für kostenlose Handgepäckboxen. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/wirtschaft/eu-parlament-stimmt-fuer-kostenlose-handgepaeckboxen,10054629.html
[2] chl/AFP. (2021, April 28). EU parliament backs free carry-on baggage. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20210428/eu-parliament-backs-free-carry-on-baggage
[3] European Court of Justice. (2014). Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) 19 September 2014, Case C-581/13, Case C-629/13. Retrieved from https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=149789&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=104&dindex=1&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=110
[4] VZBV. (2021, April 28). VZBV klagt gegen drei Fluggesellschaften wegen unberechtigter Handgepäckgebühren. Retrieved from https://www.vzbv.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/vzbv-klagt-gegen-drei-fluggesellschaften-wegen-unberechtigter-handgepaeckgebuhren/
[5] VZBV. (2021, April 28). VZBV fordert klare Regeln für kostenloses Handgepäck. Retrieved from https://www.vzbv.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/vzbv-fordert-klare-regeln-fuer-kostenloses-handgepaeck/
- The European Union might consider establishing clear community and employment policies regarding carry-on baggage to prevent deceptive practices and ensure transparency, following the ongoing legal arguments against several airlines over unauthorized baggage fees.
- As the lifestyle of travelers gravitates toward budget-friendly options, there is a growing need for employment policies within airlines to adhere to a standard for free carry-on baggage, as called for by consumer protection organizations like the Federal Association of Consumer Centres (VZBV).
