The Ministry of Social Rights and Consumers has ratified the fine of five “low cost” airlines that operate in Spain and charge their passengers an additional fee for hand luggage or for printing boarding passes. This procedure was opened in 2023 and at the end of May the General Secretariat for Consumer Protection imposed a fine of 150 million euros. The airlines appealed and Minister Pablo Bustinduy ended up rejecting the accusations and confirming the fines, which were also increased to 179 million euros, as ministerial sources explained to this newspaper.
The airlines sanctioned are Ryanair, Vueling, Norgewian, Volotea and EasyJet for having decided to implement abusive practices by charging for the printing of the boarding pass – in the case of Ryanair - or by bringing hand luggage onto the plane as it is is “passenger rights.” . Ryanair will be the most affected by the fine, which in its case amounts to 107.78 million euros, 60% of the total fine.
Vueling, for its part, will have to pay a fine of 39.26 million euros; Easyjet of 29.1 million; Norgewian will have to pay 1.6 million; and Volotea, for its part, 1.2 million euros, as confirmed by Consumi.
This concludes the investigation launched by the Directorate General for Consumer Protection in 2023 into practices classified as “very serious” infringements of the consumer regulations contained in Article 47 of the consolidated text of the General Consumer Protection Law.
The affected airlines have announced that they will appeal this measure. According to calculations by the Association of Airlines (ALA), which considers this decision “nonsense”, last year about 50 million passengers traveled without a suitcase in the cabin, but only with luggage under the seat. Now they will have to pay “more” for the ticket. And the industry recognizes that prices will “rise” if they can no longer offer the basic option as before.
Not automatically. Although the appeal was rejected by the minister, the airlines can still appeal to the National Court - which they have already confirmed they will do immediately - and not apply the measure until there is a final ruling.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs specifies that the National Court with its resolution will ultimately decide, but that “when it comes into force the airlines will have to pay the fine and these practices will automatically become prohibited”.
The airlines confirmed upon hearing the news that this decision “will not imply any change” in the airlines’ policies. The president of the ALA, Javier Gándara, assured in a press conference that, although the administrative process has been exhausted, the judicial process now begins. Furthermore, he indicated that if this measure is continued, the consequences will have a “disproportionate impact” on the Spanish aviation and tourism sector.
Gándara assured that if the judicial route is exhausted and these rules will have to be applied, Spain will constitute “an exception” at European level, the only country in which a different commercial policy will have to be applied, “which will generate a clear competitive disadvantage.” “We hope that the nonsense implicit in this resolution does not go forward for the sake of transportation and connectivity,” the ALA president said.
In addition to the sanctions, the fine prohibits continuing with the following practices:
-Request payment of a supplement for transporting hand luggage in the cabin.
-Request payment of an additional cost on the ticket price for booking adjacent seats in the case of minors, dependents and their companions.
-Do not allow cash payment at Spanish airports.
-Imposition of a disproportionate and abusive fee on passengers for printing boarding passes.
What are the key consumer rights related to airline fees and charges in Spain?
Time.news Interview with Consumer Rights Expert Dr. Elena Martínez
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, Dr. Martínez. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent fines levied against several airlines in Spain for unfair practices regarding hand luggage fees and boarding pass printing.
Dr. Elena Martínez (EM): Good afternoon! I’m glad to be here to discuss this important issue.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. The Ministry of Social Rights and Consumers ratified an impressive fine of 179 million euros against five airlines. What does this fine signify for consumer protection in Spain?
EM: This fine is a significant win for consumer rights in Spain, particularly as it highlights the government’s commitment to protecting passengers from what are deemed abusive practices. Charging extra fees for essentials like hand luggage is a major concern for travelers and this ruling signals a move towards greater accountability within the airline industry.
TNE: Absolutely. The airlines affected, including Ryanair and Vueling, have described the fines as “nonsense.” How do you assess their argument?
EM: The airlines argue that the fines could lead to higher ticket prices for consumers, which is a valid concern. However, the focus should be on fostering fair competition and transparency. The fees these airlines charge undermine the spirit of fair travel by presenting a misleadingly low fare at the outset, only for customers to face hidden costs later on.
TNE: Speaking of hidden costs, how do you think this will affect the average consumer’s travel experience moving forward?
EM: It’s complex. On one hand, if the airlines appeal and successfully overturn the fines, we might see a return to business as usual, where the low-cost model continues to include extra fees. However, if the fines are upheld, the airlines may be compelled to reconsider their pricing strategies. Ultimately, this could lead to a more transparent pricing system, benefitting consumers in the long run.
TNE: Interesting. You mentioned earlier that a significant number of passengers traveled without cabin luggage. What does this reveal about consumer behavior?
EM: That statistic indicates a growing trend in budget travel where consumers are seeking to minimize costs. Many travelers are adapting to tight restrictions and finding ways to economize, which plays into how low-cost airlines attract a price-sensitive demographic. The challenge lies in navigating these costs and ensuring travelers are fully informed about what they are paying for.
TNE: The airlines have stated that prices might rise if they can no longer charge these fees. Is this a reasonable expectation?
EM: It is possible. If these airlines can’t rely on ancillary revenue from baggage and other fees, they may need to adjust their base fares to remain profitable. However, that shouldn’t be a blanket justification for unfair practices. The market should ideally evolve to find a balance between affordability and transparency.
TNE: You mentioned that airlines have the option to appeal the ruling to the National Court. What implications does this have for the enforcement of the Ministry’s decision?
EM: The appeal process could create a lengthy delay in enforcing any changes, effectively leaving consumers in limbo. Until the court delivers a final ruling, these airlines may continue operating as usual, which is concerning for immediate consumer rights. The Ministry’s ability to enforce these fines will ultimately depend on the National Court’s decision.
TNE: Dr. Martínez, as we wrap up, what message do you have for consumers regarding their rights in such situations?
EM: My message would be to stay informed and assert your rights as consumers. Understanding what you are entitled to—especially when it comes to transparency in pricing—is crucial. Engage with consumer protection agencies and don’t hesitate to voice concerns when airlines get it wrong. The more consumers speak up, the stronger our collective voice becomes in shaping fair practices.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Martínez, for your insights. It’s been a pleasure discussing this pressing issue with you.
EM: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope for positive changes in the travel industry soon.