Following the announcement of the opening of proceedings by Consumo to sanction 'low cost' airlines for charging for hand luggage last August, now, the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament unanimously approved this Wednesday a resolution calling on airlines to apply the measure of free cabin baggage for passengers. Next October, the resolution will be put to a vote in the Plenary in Strasbourg, according to the ABC newspaper.
Hand luggage "is an indispensable element" for passengers, recognized the Court of Justice of the European Union, a statement after which this measure arrives. Therefore, this luggage should not be subject to additional costs, as reported by several national media such as ABC.
Thanks to the MEP of Ciudadanos Jordi Cañas, who has played the role of negotiator on behalf of the European liberals, the resolution has been reached through the vote by the PETI Committee. Including the judgment of the Court of Justice in a text that seeks "the harmonization of the measures and the weight of hand luggage", in all EU airlines, the newspaper points out.
The text urges the European Commission to carry out legislation that regulates the measures and weight of hand luggage throughout the EU, given that, as there is no conformity between airlines, this results in an additional cost for travelers. This is why when traveling in different companies on the same day, it increases the difficulty for passengers to choose the best offers.
In addition, the Committee on Petitions urges that there be transparency on the part of airlines at the time of purchase of tickets, in relation to the cost and schedules of flights. Given that the 'low cost' companies do not clarify the supplements for carrying cabin baggage until the purchase process is completed, something that "must end because it harms travelers".
The writing also focuses on the fines imposed on passengers when they arrive at the boarding gate for not paying the additional costs required by certain airlines.
