Concept image: Cabin baggage bombshell – Unattended cabin bags pile up at airport amid staff shortages and new EU hand luggage rules.Credit: Ralf Geithe, Shutterstock.
EU and Airlines 1 — Spain and Passengers 0. That’s the score after EU ministers voted to officially let airlines charge passengers for hand luggage in overhead lockers — a move blasted by Spain and a handful of allies as a disgraceful “step backwards” for consumers.
The controversial shake-up, cooked up by Poland’s EU presidency, was rubber-stamped by a qualified majority of EU states on Thursday, June 5. Spain, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia shouted “No” all the way, while Austria and Estonia sat on their hands. But the motion still soared through — meaning low-cost airlines can now legally charge you extra to stash your cabin bag above your head.
Don’t worry though — you can bring a tiny bag that fits under the seat. For now.
Spain’s outrage isn’t new. Just weeks ago, its Ministry of Consumer Affairs slapped a whopping €179 million in fines on five budget airlines — Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Norwegian and Volotea — for slapping on extra charges for cabin bags, printing boarding passes, sitting next to your own child, or even paying in cash. Yes, cash. Remember that?
Ryanair topped the naughty list with a staggering €107 million fine.
But industry insiders insist these practices are above board. “Perfectly legal,” said Spain’s airline lobby ALA, noting the rules sit under Regulation 1008/2008 — and that over 40 Spanish court rulings back them up.
The fresh EU deal also stretches the delay time for compensation. Passengers may now have to wait up to 6 hours before qualifying for a payout. Spain wasn’t having any of it. “We cannot support this proposal,” said Secretary of State for Transport José Antonio Santano, calling it a “rollback” for passenger rights.
More eyebrow-raisers? The new rules approve airlines charging for simple name corrections within 48 hours of takeoff — something Spain’s data watchdog says should be free. And the “no show” clause? It’s back. That’s the scandalous tactic of cancelling your return flight just because you missed the outbound leg. Spanish courts once called it abusive. Brussels just gave it a thumbs up.
Spain isn’t alone in its rage. But for now, the rulebook rewrite heads to the European Parliament.
As Polish minister Dariusz Klimczak put it: “No one is 100% happy — and that’s the sign of a good compromise.”
Unless, of course, you’re a passenger.
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