The end of cabin baggage fees is getting closer: the European Parliament Plenary approves its elimination

This Wednesday it was decided by a large majority that low-cost airlines "must guarantee" the transport of cabin baggage free of charge.

October 4 2023 (17:44 WEST)
Updated in October 4 2023 (18:01 WEST)
Carry-on luggage in the cabin (Photo: Pexels)
Carry-on luggage in the cabin (Photo: Pexels)

The European Parliament Plenary approved this Wednesday, October 4, the resolution highlighting the right of all passengers in the European Union not to have to pay to carry cabin baggage on the plane during their flights. During the Strasbourg Plenary, it was decided by a large majority that airlines guarantee that passengers can transport cabin baggage free of charge.

According to 20minutos, Strasbourg urges the European Commission to expedite the procedures to approve regulations that must be complied with by all low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, Vueling, Volotea or easyJet, among many others. In addition, a regulation that establishes common rules on hand luggage for these companies.

The European Parliament has highlighted the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which emphasizes that hand luggage should be considered an "indispensable element" as long as it includes "reasonable requirements" of weight and dimensions, therefore, "it cannot be subject to a price supplement."

The airline Ryanair has shown its refusal to eliminate the cost of cabin baggage on its airline. This was highlighted by its CEO, Eddie Wilson, in the interview published by the media 'La Información'. In it, he makes it clear that they "have permission to set prices for their products," which he describes as a "fundamental right" according to European law.

In addition, he explains the reasons: "there is not enough space inside the plane for everyone to carry a hand luggage and another under their seat, so we limit it so that those who want to have the comfort of carrying an additional bag, carry it," the newspaper 20minutos collected.

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