PROPERTY SEARCH

Linea Directa Home Insurance Cross content

Date Published: 19/09/2023

Ryanair comes under fire in Spain for unfair check-in practices

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

Spain’s leading consumer group has accused the airline of malpractice and “abuse”

Ryanair comes under fire in Spain for unfair check-in practices

Ryanair has once again been called to task in Spain over its unfair treatment of passengers. This week, the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has accused the budget airline of malpractice for forcing passengers to pay extra to check in at the airport when their online platforms aren’t working correctly.

According to the citizen group, countless passengers, particularly those who book their flights through a travel agent or another third party, have received error messages on both the app and the website when trying to check in. They are then forced to go to the counter at the airport, where the carrier charges between 30 and 50 euros, per passenger, for a printed boarding pass.

Furthermore, passengers who buy their tickets through a different platform, eDreams for example, are required to provide photo identification, another step which the OCU believes is unnecessary.

This is far from the first time Ryanair’s questionable practices have been highlighted by the Spanish authorities. Back in December, Michael O’Leary’s company was hauled through the courts and found guilty of several workers’ rights violations during the cabin crew strikes.

And just last month, the Irish airline, along with six others, was investigated by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs for alleged irregularities in their hand luggage policy and seat allocation.

For the OCU, this latest check-in issue is “clearly a new abuse by the company, which adds to those already reported about which the justice system clearly agreed with us.”

The organisation has already approached Ryanair bosses and requested that they immediately cease “this clearly abusive commercial practice.”

If the company fails to do so, the OCU is determined to file a formal complaint with the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs.

In other news: Driving up prices—Cost of new and used cars in Spain shoots up

Image: Archive

Linea Directa Home Insurance Bottom of Article

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)