The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs has imposed fines on budget airlines Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian, and Volotea, totaling €179 million.
The primary reason for the penalties is the airlines charging passengers fees for carrying hand luggage. The fines, announced in May, were upheld after the appeals from the companies were rejected.
The ministry stated that the airlines violated passengers’ rights by charging for oversized hand luggage, seat selection, printing boarding passes and prohibiting cash payments at check-in desks or for onboard purchases.
The fines were distributed as follows: Ryanair faced the largest penalty of €108 million, IAG was fined €39 million, easyJet €29 million, Norwegian €1.6 million and Volotea €1.2 million.
The Spanish Airline Association (ALA) announced its intention to challenge the decision in court. According to ALA, the ministry’s actions conflict with free market principles and European Union regulations. They added that if the fines are enforced, up to 50 million passengers could be forced to pay for services they do not need.
