EU Transport Ministers Propose New Rules for Hand Luggage
In a move aimed at clarifying the rights of airline passengers, EU transport ministers have proposed new rules regarding hand luggage. According to a report from the BBC, the proposed rules would guarantee passengers one free personal item, measuring up to 40x30x15cm (including wheels and handles), or which could reasonably fit under a plane seat. This development has significant implications for the airline industry, particularly for EU-based carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet.
The proposed rules would apply to EU-based airlines, including when they are carrying passengers from a non-EU country like the UK to an EU country and vice-versa. However, the rules would not apply to third-party airlines. The new regulations aim to add clarity to an EU court ruling from 11 years ago, which stated that hand baggage should not be subject to an extra fee, provided it met "reasonable" weight and dimensions. However, the ruling did not specify what constituted "reasonable".
The BBC reports that currently, Ryanair allows a free carry-on bag of 40x20x25cm, while EasyJet’s dimensions for a free bag are a more generous 45x36x20 cm, including wheels and handles. The ministers’ proposal has been met with criticism from consumer groups, who argue that it does not go far enough. The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, an umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 32 countries, believes that the proposals legitimise "charging for reasonably sized hand luggage".
The issue of hand luggage charges has been a contentious one in recent years. In November, five airlines were fined a total of €179m (£150m) in Spain for "abusive" practices, including charging for hand luggage. Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry said at the time that it planned to ban charging extra for carry-on luggage and other policies. The airlines had said they would appeal the decision.
The proposed rules have also raised questions about whether airlines could continue to charge for overhead cabin bags. According to the BBC, the ministers’ proposal was silent on this issue, meaning that if the proposal was adopted into law, the current situation would not change and airlines could keep charging for that kind of hand baggage. This has sparked concerns among consumer groups, who argue that passengers should be able to bring on board a reasonable-sized bag without incurring extra charges.
The proposed rules are seen as a significant step towards clarifying the rights of airline passengers. As the BBC notes, the EU court ruling from 11 years ago has been open to interpretation, leading to confusion and frustration among passengers. The new rules, if adopted, would provide much-needed clarity and protection for passengers. However, consumer groups argue that more needs to be done to prevent airlines from charging excessive fees for hand luggage.
The debate over hand luggage charges is set to continue. As reported by the BBC, the European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, will be closely monitoring the development of the proposed rules and advocating for the rights of consumers. The proposed rules are a significant development in the airline industry, and it remains to be seen how they will impact passengers and airlines alike.
The changes would be a marked shift in policy for EU airlines. According to the source, "The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC, an umbrella group for 45 independent consumer organisations from 32 countries, believes Thursday’s proposals do not go far enough, and legitimise "charging for reasonably sized hand luggage". These comments illustrate a gap in achieving passenger satisfaction within european air travel. Further updates will likely continue as they develop. This according to reporting from The BBC.
