Airports under pressure: EU Commission is examining airlines’ hand luggage fees!

Airports under pressure: EU Commission is examining airlines’ hand luggage fees!

In the dispute over high additional fees for hand luggage, consumer advocates have taken a further step. The European Consumer Association BEUC and 16 organizations from 12 countries officially lodged a complaint with the EU Commission today. Several major airlines have come into focus, including Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, Volotea, Norwegian and Transavia. The complaint concerns the fees charged for hand luggage, which, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 2014, can be taken on board free of charge as long as it does not exceed the specified dimensions.

The consumer advocates' accusation is clear: the airlines are ignoring the legal requirements and burdening their customers with additional costs. In current practice, differences in baggage guidelines can be seen. Most airlines currently allow one piece of hand luggage with a maximum size of 55 x 40 x 23 cm and a weight of between 8 and 10 kg. Liquids are limited to containers of a maximum of 100ml and must be packed in a 1 liter clear bag. Valuables, medication and technical devices should ideally be transported in hand luggage to avoid loss or damage.

Different airline baggage regulations

Hand luggage regulations vary greatly from airline to airline. With Ryanair, among other things, you have to pay additionally for a small piece of hand luggage (maximum 40 x 20 x 25 cm). With priority boarding, passengers have the option of carrying two pieces of hand luggage, with prices for this service ranging from 6 to 30 euros. In contrast, Wizz Air allows one free small piece of hand luggage (maximum 40 x 30 x 20 cm) as long as it fits under the seat in front. For additional storage space, passengers can book either the WIZZ Priority or Wizz Go/Wizz Plus.

EasyJet takes a different approach: one piece of hand luggage (maximum 45 x 36 x 20 cm) is included in the basic tariff, while a larger piece of luggage (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm) can be booked from 7.99 euros. These differences illustrate how important it is for travelers to carefully check their airline's baggage policy before packing to avoid unexpected fees.

Reforms and legal foundations

The consumer advice centers see the current regulations as inadequate and are calling on the EU to issue clearer regulations for the size of hand luggage and the services included in the ticket. The ECJ ruling from 2014, which states that no fees may be charged for hand luggage as long as it meets appropriate size and weight requirements, is currently being questioned by airlines. The challenge now is to define these legal boundaries and protect consumers from further exploitation.

The ongoing discussions by the EU states on reforming the Air Passenger Rights Regulation offer an opportunity to revise the existing regulations. The consumer advice centers emphasize that now is the right time for changes to create clarity and fairness for air travelers.

Overall, current developments show that the issue of hand luggage fees is a significant nuisance for many passengers and that there is an urgent need for action. The European Consumer Association BEUC and other organizations continue to advocate for consumer rights and will closely monitor developments.

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