This Friday, November 22, 2024, 5 airlines were fined 179 million euros for abusive practices and questionable invoicing aimed at their customers.
Airlines are struggling. This Friday, Spain and its government announced that they had imposed a fine of 179 million euros on five low-cost airlines because of abusive practices, particularly on billing for seats and hand luggage.
Among those concerned, it was the company Ryanair which received the heaviest sanction with no less than 107.7 million euros. Just after we find Vueling (39.3 million fine), Easyjet (29.1 million), Norwegian (1.6 million) and Volotea (1.2 million).
The exact reasons for the sanction are the companies' method of invoicing, particularly on hand luggage, as well as the choice of passenger seat when accompanying dependent people such as the disabled or children. The ban on paying for tickets in cash put into effect by companies as well as an excessive fee for printing boarding passes at airports is also targeted by the government.
“This sanction sends a very clear message, which is that no company, however large or powerful it may be, is above the law,” said Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy. He added that the condemned practices “have been denounced for years by consumer associations” before concluding that we “cannot tolerate that economic models are based on the violation of consumer rights”. Companies still have the option of appealing to court.
A standoff that continues
The government's initiative was welcomed by the consumer defense association Facua, which initiated the procedure and which has been denouncing the actions of large companies for several years. “These sanctions are the highest ever applied by a consumer protection authority” in Spain, she assured, specifying that “users” could “claim reimbursement” of the additional costs imposed in recent years by these companies , she enthused.
In the other camp, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary criticized “illegal and unfounded” fines and announced that they “will be overturned by the courts”. The Spanish Airlines Association (ALA) indicated that the companies would keep their prices unchanged while waiting for the courts to rule on the case.
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