Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has imposed fines totaling €179 million on five low-cost airlines—Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea—for alleged “abusive practices” in their baggage and pricing policies.
This marks the first “very serious” penalty of its kind by the Spanish government under its consumer protection laws.
Breakdown of fines
The penalties are as follows:
- Ryanair: €108 million
- Vueling: €39 million
- EasyJet: €29 million
- Norwegian: €1.6 million
- Volotea: €1.2 million
The ministry cited several violations. These include;
- charging for carry-on luggage
- reserving seats for minors or dependent passengers
- high fees for printing boarding passes at the airport
- unclear pricing
- not accepting cash payments at Spanish airports
According to the ministry, these practices violate Spain’s General Law for the Protection of Consumers and Users and are considered detrimental to customer rights. The fines reflect the companies’ profits from these practices, with the ministry noting that penalties for “very serious” infractions can be six to eight times the earnings derived from such activities.
Ryanair to appeal “unlawful and baseless” fines
Ryanair, which received the largest fine, has announced its intention to appeal the decision. CEO Michael O’Leary labeled the fines as “illegal and baseless,” accusing the Spanish government of acting for political reasons. He argued that Ryanair’s baggage policies have been validated by Spanish and EU courts, including the Barcelona Courts.
O’Leary further claimed that the fines contradict the principles of the EU’s Open Skies policy. This allows airlines to set their own pricing and policies. He emphasized that these additional fees help reduce overall ticket prices, benefiting consumers.
Spain’s Airline Association (ALA) echoed Ryanair’s stance, calling the decision “nonsense” and a violation of free market and EU rules. The group warned that such measures could force passengers without additional luggage to pay for services they do not require.
Ministry defends decision
Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy has defended the fines, highlighting that this is the first instance where “very serious” sanctions have been enforced for consumer rights violations. The ministry insists that the penalties aim to curb unfair practices and encourage transparency in airline pricing.
Bustinduy emphasised that the decision ends the administrative phase of the process, leaving the airlines with the option to appeal the fines through Spain’s judicial system within two months.
Impact on budget airlines
The fines pose a significant challenge to the business models of low-cost airlines, which rely on supplemental fees for services traditionally included in ticket prices. The ruling could set a precedent for stricter regulations on airline pricing strategies, not just in Spain but potentially across Europe.
As the appeals process unfolds, it remains to be seen how these fines will affect the operations of low-cost carriers in Spain and their relationship with passengers seeking affordable travel options.
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