European Commission Opens Infringement Procedure Against Spain Over Airline Hand Luggage Fines
The European Commission challenges Spain's €179 million fines on airlines for charging hand luggage fees, igniting regulatory tensions and prompting airline flight reductions.
- • The European Commission initiates an infringement procedure against Spain over airline fines related to hand luggage charges.
- • Spain fined five low-cost carriers €179 million for abusive practices, including extra fees on hand luggage.
- • The Commission argues Spain's air navigation law unjustly restricts airlines' pricing freedom, conflicting with EU rules.
- • Ryanair plans significant flight cuts in Spain following high fines and airport fees.
- • Consumers and Spanish authorities disagree with the Commission's interpretation of hand luggage as a luxury item requiring charges.
Key details
The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Spain following the Spanish government's imposition of fines on airlines charging extra fees for hand luggage. The dispute centers on a €179 million penalty levied in November 2024 against five low-cost carriers — Ryanair, Vueling, Easyjet, Norwegian, and Volotea — for what Spain considered abusive practices, including fees for hand luggage and seat reservation policies for dependent passengers.
According to the European Commission, Spain's National Air Navigation Law restricts airlines' freedom to set prices for hand luggage, conflicting with EU regulations. While the Ministry of Consumer Affairs defends its sanctions and references a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling that hand luggage is an essential part of passenger transport and should not incur additional charges, the Commission contends that Spanish law does not comply with this precedent. Consumer associations criticized the Commission's position, arguing that passengers rightfully expect hand luggage to be included without extra charges, and view the ruling as implying that hand luggage is a luxury requiring payment.
The Commission officially sent Spain a reasoned opinion, beginning a two-month period to respond and potentially resolve the dispute. Failure to address the issues can lead to escalation, possibly involving the Court of Justice of the European Union. This development follows a meeting between European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, with O'Leary confident the Commission would oppose Spain's fines.
In response to the enforcement and high fees imposed by Spain's airport operator Aena, Ryanair has announced plans to cut 1.2 million seats at Spanish regional airports by summer 2026, including closing its base in Santiago and eliminating flights to and from Asturias. These moves underscore the broader tensions between Spanish regulatory actions and EU policies affecting airlines and passengers in Spain.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.