UOKiK examines the legality of fees for hand luggage in Ryanair and Wizz Air

UOKiK checks whether the method of verifying the dimensions of hand luggage and imposing fees for it in Ryanair and Wizz Air are lawful – the office said on Tuesday. He reminded that, according to the CJEU, airlines should not charge an additional fee for “reasonable size and weight hand luggage”.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection analyzes contractual provisions related to the conditions of transporting hand luggage at Ryanair and Wizz Aira – stated in the communiqué. The office checks what information the customer is received by the buyer, what is the baggage measurement procedure and the rules for calculating fees, and what are the consequences for consumers if they do not pay such a fee. He also examines the method of considering complaints on fees, which – according to passengers – have been wrongly imposed.

“Complaints coming to the office describe a repetitive pattern: a passenger with a backpack approaches the goal, where the airline staff asks him to place it in the so -called size – a metal frame for checking the dimensions. This frame – in the light of the information contained in the signals received – does not correspond to the size of the allowed luggage. The handy, now – according to the carrier – does not meet the requirements, and the consumer is charged with an additional payment of several hundred zlotys, “UOKiK informed.

He added that according to travelers, measurements are carried out “in a hurry” and “without a chance” for re -verification of dimensions or using another measuring device. UOKiK also pointed out that – according to the signals from passengers – the fee can only be paid by payment card, and the refusal to pay results in the consumer not to deck.

As the President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, cited in the announcement reminded, in accordance with the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU – if the hand luggage “is within reasonable boundaries of weight and size and does not violate safety regulations” – it should be treated as an integral part of the transport service. This means that an additional fee should not be charged for it. “Our goal is to check if cheap airlines follow this principle in practice,” said Chróstny.

If the explanatory proceedings confirm that the rules regarding the transport of hand luggage and charging consumers with fees in the Ryanair and Wizz Air lines may violate consumer rights, the President of UOKiK will start proceedings in the case for recognition of “provisions of contractual templates as not allowed” or proceedings regarding the use of practices violating the collective interests of consumers. (PAP)

(We plan to continue the topic)

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