Air travellers on EU airlines could soon be allowed to carry handbags weighing up to 7kg without incurring extra charges, if a proposed law is approved. The European Parliament’s transport committee gave the nod to an amendment on Tuesday (June 24) that would eliminate fees for small carry-on bags.
Several carriers, including Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, currently levy charges for larger cabin bags (those meant for the overhead locker) within their standard fares. These airlines only include a small under-seat bag in the basic ticket price.
However, other airlines such as British Airways and Jet2 continue to include a larger cabin bag within their standard fares. Officials suggest that passengers should be permitted one free cabin bag weighing up to 7kg and not exceeding 100cm, along with another smaller personal item that can fit under the seat.
MEPs back passenger rights plan
This potential policy would apply to all flights to and from the EU, which includes routes between the EU and the UK, according to Bristol Live. A significant majority of MEPs voted in favour of amending EU passenger rights laws, adopting a stance on a new passenger rights bill with 38 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions. The finer details of the proposed EU regulations are currently being debated among member states, with Spain expressing its support for the revisions, reports Cornwall Live.
Jens Gieseke, a member of the transport committee, underscored the committee’s intentions, saying: “Our proposals are intended to strengthen passenger confidence and encourage companies to develop more attractive multimodal offers. They set out clear, reasonable obligations for carriers – and at the same time ensure passengers are not abandoned.”
Despite these aims to bolster traveller trust, there is trepidation within the airline industry that these new regulations could inflate ticket prices for all fliers, whether they have excess baggage or not. The industry’s incredulity towards EU intervention was evident as one chief executive questioned the logic behind such measures.
Concerns over hand luggage plan
Taking a critical stance, Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director of travel lobby group Airlines for Europe, said: “What’s next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.”
Airlines for Europe warned of potential implementation issues with the new policy, signalling to the EU transport committee that aircraft, typically accommodating 180 passengers, can only fit around 90 cabin bags in overhead lockers.
Nevertheless, the committee said airlines should refrain from charging for certain seating arrangements, particularly when it involves children up to 12 years old, advocating for a standardised procedure for processing compensation and refund claims.
The European Parliament’s recent ruling has garnered praise from BEUC, with their chief legal officer Steven Berger commenting: “This is a basic consumer expectation, and it fully aligns with the Court of Justice’s ruling that reasonable-sized hand luggage cannot be subject to additional fees.”
Back in May, BEUC took action by lodging a complaint, urging the European Commission and consumer watchdogs to delve into the hand luggage fee strategies of several airlines including easyJet, Norwegian Airlines, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling, Transavia, and Wizz Air, alleging they were unlawful.
The transport committee is now planning negotiations with member states.