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Date Published: 04/08/2023

Spain investigates 7 low-cost airlines over their hand luggage and seating policies

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Low-cost airlines who charge “abusive or unfair” amounts to passengers could face thousands of euros in fines

Spain investigates 7 low-cost airlines over their hand luggage and seating policies

The Subdirectorate General of Inspection and Sanctioning Procedure of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in Spain is investigating seven low-cost airlines operating in the country for alleged irregularities in their hand luggage policy and seat allocation.

The practices on which the ministry has opened an investigation are related to the charging as “extras” of services that are generally “necessary and essential for passengers when travelling,” according to a statement from the Ministry.

This includes, for example, charging extra to carry an unchecked suitcase in the cabin or for seat selection.

Related story: Hand luggage allowances on flights in Spain for 2023

Anyone who has flown low-cost in recent years will now be familiar with these practices and perhaps no longer question it, but Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs seems ready to bring down the full force of the powers at its disposal to impose penalties on airlines that unfairly charge passengers extra for essential services.

They are studying whether these types of commercial practices by low-cost airlines are “abusive or unfair and whether they are in general contravention of consumer regulations”.

At the same time, they are investigating whether these seven airlines (which they have not named) could be obtaining privileged positions in search engines and online flight comparison sites with prices much lower than those actually paid by the consumer in the final transaction.

The airlines under investigation have a combined market share of more than 30% both inside and outside Europe and therefore have an impact on the booking of millions of passengers.

The conduct under investigation is alleged to constitute serious infringements punishable by fines of between 10,000 and 100,000 euros, with fines of up to four to six times the illicit profit or up to 4% of the turnover if confirmed as widespread practice within the EU.

The hand luggage policies of some airlines have been the subject of controversy on many occasions, most recently when Ryanair tried to charge two passengers in Mallorca 45 euros a head to take a couple of pastries on board with them as a snack.

Ryanair has since assured that “a normal amount of ensaimadas” may be taken on board its flights.

Image: Ministerio de Consumo

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