The Spanish government is warning two more low-cost airlines, Wizz Air and Transavia, that they could soon face fines over controversial hand luggage fees, as pressure mounts from across the European Union.
Spain’s Minister for Consumer Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, signalled the move during a meeting of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) in Brussels, where coordinated legal action was announced against several budget carriers.
The development follows a major crackdown that saw fines totalling €179 million handed to five airlines, Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Norwegian and Volotea, for charging passengers extra to carry standard cabin bags on board.
Consumer Groups File Cross-Border Complaints
The latest warning comes as consumer associations from 12 EU countries, including Spain, prepare to lodge complaints with their national regulators against seven airlines over what they describe as “undue fees” on hand luggage.
Countries involved include France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Norway and Malta. In total, 16 consumer organisations have joined the coordinated action.
BEUC has also submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), a mechanism that enables EU nations to take joint action against companies engaged in potentially illegal cross-border practices.
Mounting Pressure on Budget Airlines
Speaking in Brussels, Minister Bustinduy warned that Wizz Air and Transavia, which were not included in the first round of sanctions, are now “under scrutiny” and could face similar penalties.
Campaigners argue that charging for basic carry-on luggage violates EU consumer rights, particularly where passengers are not clearly informed about what’s included in the advertised price.
EU Urged to Investigate
BEUC has called on the European Commission to launch a full investigation into these pricing practices and enforce transparency and fairness across the airline industry.
The European Commission and national authorities are yet to respond to the latest complaint, but consumer watchdogs say they are determined to hold all airlines accountable for what they view as misleading and unfair charges.
