Ryanair explodes in row over hand luggage ban

Campaigners are urging EU legislators to step in amid a dispute over whether budget airlines should be permitted to charge a fee for hand luggage. Last week, European consumer groups demanded that Brussels scrutinise the including , easyJet, and Wizz Air. Agustín Reyna, director general of BEUC, a collective representing 44 consumer organisations, accused airlines of "exploiting consumers" and "ignoring the EU top court, which ruled that "charging for reasonably sized hand baggage is illegal".

He questioned: "Haven't we all experienced the fear of our hand baggage not fitting in the airline's sizers and being charged extra fees?" But Ryanair hit back, saying its policy promoted "low fares" and "consumer choice". A spokesman said: "Ryanair allows each passenger to carry a generous (40 x 25 x 20 cm) personal bag on board free as part of its basic air fare, with the option to add extra bags for an .

"This policy promotes both low fares and consumer choice. If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive-up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers."

For instance, Ryanair allows passengers to carry a small bag that fits under the seat free of charge. However, if a gate check determines it is .

A larger cabin bag can be added to a flight booking for £6 to £36 depending on the route but, again, if it is deemed too large it costs £75 to stow.

Spain has emerged as a hotbed for this issue. Last year, its Consumer Rights Ministry fined five budget airlines, including Ryanair, a total of €179m (£150m) for charging passengers for .

This month, a Spanish judge ordered Ryanair to refund a passenger €147 (£123) in hand luggage charges accumulated across five flights, including a return trip from Spain to the UK.

In her ruling, Judge Raquel Martínez Marco stated "carry-on luggage is an essential element. The case was supported by Spanish consumer rights group Facua, which has been protesting against the "illegal surcharge" since 2018.

Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, stated that the company would not be altering its policies

He said: "The Spanish have a mad minister who's decided that as General Franco passed some law 30 years before Spain joined the , passengers are free to bring as much baggage as they wan.

"It's a clear violation of European regulations. The European Commission have already informed Spain it's illegal."

Mr O'Leary further argued that any attempt to interfere would contravene the regulation that ensures airlines the liberty to establish prices and policies without political meddling.

He added, "In the short term, you have a couple of the consumer agencies in Spain making decisions at the local court level and trumpeting these.

"It's not going to change. . It will get referred to the European courts; we'll be appealing those rulings. In reality, there isn't that demand from passengers."