EU countries approved: Hand luggage on airplanes are paid – Cyprus Newspaper

The European Union countries have adopted a common attitude in the long -awaited air -passing rights reform. However, the pricing of the cabin baggage still creates a great debate.

The European Union (EU) countries agreed in a comprehensive reform package aimed at updating the rights of air passengers. However, the proposal to place the cabin luggage fees on the legal ground was accepted despite the objections of Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

EU Transportation Ministers, who came together in Brussels on Thursday, approved their regulations on new passenger rights, including suggestions covering the pricing for the hand baggage. According to Euronews, a bag of bags that can fit under the seat within the scope of the adopted arrangement is recognized as free of charge, while the other cabin luggage can be made paid.

Re -guiding obligation and compensation limits

According to the new rules, in case of flight cancellation or delay, the airlines will be obliged to direct passengers with another time as soon as possible. If necessary, this routing can be provided by another airline or a different transportation tool.

If there is no re -guidance within three hours, passengers will be able to set their alternative transportation methods and request a repayment of up to 400 %of the original ticket price.

According to the new compensation regulations, the passengers will be able to receive compensation for 300 euros in short and intra -eu flights (3,500 km) of more than 300 euros and 5 -hour delays exceeding six hours on long -distance flights (over 3,500 km).

Strict rules for « extraordinary situation » defense

Airlines will have to prove that they have taken all reasonable measures to suggest the reason for “extraordinary conditions .. In addition, if there is a delay, it will be necessary to provide food, drinks and accommodation for passengers. If this obligation is not fulfilled, passengers will be able to request repayment from the airline by covering the costs themselves.

In order to better apply passenger rights, information obligations were also increased. Airlines will be obliged to openly inform the passengers and be transparent in the complaint process from the moment of purchase of tickets.

While the time to convey the demands of the passengers is limited to six months, the airlines will have to respond to these applications within 14 days at the latest.

« Reform that has not been done for 12 years has been completed »

Dariusz Klimczak, the Minister of Infrastructure of Poland, who is the presidency of the EU period, said in a statement after the vote, “The attitude accepted today responds to the call for more clear and updated rules that air passengers and airline companies have been expressed for a long time,” he said

Cabin baggage response from consumer organizations

However, the European Consumer Organization Beuc reacted harshly to the accepted regulation. The organization argued that although some improvements have been made to passengers in terms of information and assistance, there have been serious decline in fundamental rights.

“Some rights have been developed on paper, but many basic rights go back.

Reyna made the following assessment regarding the fees of hand baggage:

“Consumer organizations complained to the European Commission last May, stating that the fee for hand baggage is contrary to the EU rules and the EU Court of Justice Court. Hand luggage is one of the basic elements of passenger transport. However, the text accepted by the Council legitimizes the pricing of the reasonable hand luggage.”

How is the situation in the USA?

According to a news published yesterday in the BBC, only the US airline companies, in 2023 Check-in luggage fees 7 billion dollars, 2024 in 2024 won the revenue of 7.27 billion dollars. This figure points to a huge increase compared to $ 5.76 billion in 2019.

Companies that earn the most from additional fees

• American Airlines: In 2008, it was the first airline ($ 15) in the USA ($ 15). One of the pioneers who started the wage application in the sector.
• Southwest Airlines: Southwest, which used to be a free luggage in the past, is now fee for check-in luggage in domestic lines. This attracted the reaction of the passengers.
• Air Canada: It is one of the most recent companies that charge for check-in luggage. It caused passengers to turn to cabin baggage preference.
• Ryanair: One of the first European companies to charge the cabin luggage. It only accepts small bags that fit under the armpit free of charge, and for the hand baggage placed in the upper compartment, it demands a fee of at least 6 pounds (approximately 230 TL).