Will Spain's decision inspire other countries? To combat certain commercial practices of low-cost airlines, the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, announced sanctions against five companies for abusive practices. Ryanair, Vueling, Easyjet, Norwegian and Volotea are affected. The total amount of these fines amounts to 178,933,631.99 euros, points out a press release from the dedicated ministry this Friday.
« The commitment of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is clear: there cannot be economic models based on the violation of citizenship rights », asserts the minister on the social network
More concretely, these companies are criticized for charging extra for hand luggage or for the choice of a seat on the plane when one of the passengers must accompany a dependent person (disabled people, children, for example).
The fines come at the end of an investigation opened by the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs in 2023, specifies the Spanish ministry. On May 31, the consumer association Facua indicated that it had filed a complaint against these practices deemed abusive and reported a fine of more than 150 million euros against four airlines. Seized of an appeal from the companies concerned, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs “ rejected the appeals filed by these airlines ».
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Two months to appeal
In detail, Ryanair receives the highest fine, at 107 million euros, followed by Vueling with 39 million euros, Easyjet (29 million euros), Norgewian (1.6 million euros), and finally, Volotea (1.1 million euros). The fines were awarded on “ the basis of profits obtained by companies » thanks to these abusive practices, justifies the ministry.
In a press release, the Facua association welcomed a decision “ historical ». « These sanctions are the highest ever applied by a consumer protection authority “, she underlined, specifying that “ users » could now « claim reimbursement of these costs ».
« These illegal and unfounded fines were decided (…) for political reasons and are clearly contrary to European law », Reacted Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, announcing an appeal.
They ” will be overturned by European courts, which have repeatedly defended the right of European airlines to set their prices and policies without government interference “, he added, quoted in a press release.
These financial sanctions are accompanied by new prohibitions. In addition to the surcharges mentioned above which will be banned, companies are also prohibited from imposing a surcharge on passengers who print their boarding pass at the airport. In addition, businesses must be clear about the prices displayed on their site and can no longer prohibit cash payment at airports.
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Companies now have two months to file an appeal before the Administrative Disputes Chamber of the National Court. After this period, “ the order will be effective », Specifies the Spanish government. For its part, the Spanish Airlines Association (ALA) described it as “ absurd » and “ illegal » the sanctions imposed on companies, reports the daily The Vanguard. Spain would become the only country in the European Union where the invoicing of cabin baggage would become prohibited, points out the ALA, again according to the Spanish media.
