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Your Essential Weekly Read
EU green lights charges for cabin baggage despite Spanish resistance
EU countries adopted their own position on long-waited updated rules for air passengers, though provisions on cabin baggage remain controversial. Proposals to allow charging air passengers for carry-on cabin baggage were green-lit by EU transport ministers recently, as part of wider reforms of EU air passenger
rights (see article on page 16), despite resistance from Spain, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia. The proposal offers one free hand luggage item, one that can be slipped under the seat, leaving other stowed cabin bags open to charges. Therefore, Airlines will be allowed to charge passengers for bringing trolley
bags into the cabin under changes to EU passenger rights, after the European Council approved the controversial move. They have introduced new rules for hand luggage, allowing carriers to impose fees for larger cabin bags placed in overhead lockers. Only smaller personal items such as backpacks or handbags measuring up to 40x30x15cm will be accepted free of charge. The Airline Association (ALA) has welcomed the changes, saying they provide much-needed clarity on baggage fees and will help cut down on the number of legal disputes between passengers and airlines. They said: “This ends the legal uncertainty and inconsistent rulings we’ve seen across Spain.” The new rules also narrow the definition of free hand luggage, limiting it to bags that can be stored under the
seat in front, meaning anything larger will now come with an additional cost. Spain, Germany, Slovenia, and Portugal voted against the changes, warning the move could mean passengers end up paying extra for almost any cabin bag. The Spanish
government criticised the new rules as “too restrictive.” To bolster enforcement, the rules impose stricter information requirements. Airlines must clearly inform passengers of their rights at booking and during complaint handling. European consumer organisation BEUC criticised the position adopted by member states, “Consumer groups have already pointed out that airlines should stop charging passengers for their hand luggage by lodging a complaint with the consumer protection authorities and the European Commission last May.”