Low-cost airlines are likely to be significantly affected by the new measure, which targets their pricing strategies that allow only a small bag to be carried free if it fits under a seat, while charging for larger bags, even those that fit in the overhead compartment.
Ryanair’s latest annual report indicates that ancillary revenues, from things like hand baggage fees and extra services like seat selection and priority boarding, accounted for €4.7 billion out of a total of €13.95 billion in revenues.
Airlines are worried that permitting all passengers to bring a 7 kg bag on board could cause boarding issues and delays if bags don’t fit in the cabin.
In a pre-vote letter to lawmakers, A4E argued that aircraft lack space to handle one trolley bag per passenger, noting that a typical cabin has 180 seats but space for just 90 trolleys in overhead bins.
However, the amendment is firm, allowing hand baggage to be stored either in the cabin or in the hold as checked baggage.
The rule states that airlines can only refuse hand baggage on board for security reasons regarding weight, size, or aircraft features.
Steven Berger, senior legal officer at the European Consumer Organization, praised the clear stance on hand luggage, calling it a fulfillment of “a fundamental consumer expectation” to carry a personal item and hand baggage without added cost.













Leave a Reply