Deco asks for investigation to rates on hand luggage
DECO, together with the European Consumer Organization (Beuc) and associations from 12 countries, submitted a complaint to the European Commission, requiring an investigation to the aviation sector for the collection of additional fees for hand baggage.
In addition to Brussels, the Consumer Protection Association and the counterparts presented an alert to the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC Network), denouncing the seven air carrier baggage policy.
At the center of the complaint are Easyjet, Norwegian Airlines, Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling, Transavia and Wizzair. Airlines are accused by associations to charge additional amounts to allow passengers to travel with hand luggage.
According to organizations, these practices violate the understanding of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which has already considered that the hand luggage cannot be the subject of extra tariffs as long as it meets reasonable criteria of weight, dimensions and safety.
Deco also points out that the practice of luggage collection began to be implemented by Ryanair, but has been replicated by other carriers.
« There are increasingly air carriers that require passengers, who want to travel with hand baggage, the payment of a supplement, contrary to what was, for large years, practice in the aviation sector, » says Deco in a statement.
The charged fees vary depending on the route, demand, travel date and the moment they are added to the ticket. In cases where they are applied at the airport, the value can reach 75 euros per route.
Associations also warn of how these rates are communicated during the reserve process, referring to the use of “obscure patterns” that may error consumers.
By 2024, DECO had already requested the intervention of the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) on this matter. Now asks for an investigation at the level of the European Union to the entire sector.
