Seven low -cost airlines may be under the magnifying glass of the European Commission after consumer organizations from 12 countries have lodged a complaint regarding additional fees for transporting hand luggage. According to the applicants, such practices violate EU regulations and the decision of the Court of Justice of the EU.
The complaint was lodged by organizations associated in Beuc, which coordinates activities in this matter. Beuc emphasized that fees for hand luggage with standard dimensions are inconsistent with EU law.
“I think we all have experienced fear that our hand luggage will not fit in the sizes of the airlines and we will be charged with additional fees. Today we are taking action against seven airline lines that use consumers and ignore the ruling of the Supreme Court of the EU” – Beuc wrote in a statement.
Hand luggage. Norwegian, Easyjet, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air break the EU regulations?
The list of carriers to which the complaint relates includes: Norwegian, Easyjet, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air. Consumer organizations accuse them of unfair determination of hand luggage requirements, which leads to additional costs for passengers.
A complaint with the European Commission was signed by a total of 16 consumer organizations with Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Malta, Germany, Norway, Poland and Portugal.
Hand luggage. EU standards and CJEU ruling
Pursuant to EU regulations, passengers have the right to free transport of hand luggage, which meets “reasonable requirements for weight, size and safety”. A similar position was taken by the EU Court of Justice in 2014, ruling that airlines could not charge additional fees for standard hand luggage. However, organizations associated in Beuc say that carriers ignore this judgment.
It is not known when the complaint will be considered. As emphasized by Maren Van Buren Struksnaes from the Norwegian Forbrukradet organization, a possible violation of rights applies to tens of millions of clients. “We expect that we will not have to wait long for the first decisions,” she said in an interview with PAP.
Precedent from Spain: over EUR 179 million penalties
This is not the first time consumers are fighting the airlines for hand luggage fees. A similar complaint was filed a few years ago in Spain by the National Federation of Consumers of OCU. The case ended in 2024 in favor of passengers, and the carriers were obliged to pay penalties of 179 million euros. However, to recover unduly charged, consumers had to claim their rights in court.
