Spain's Ministry of Social Welfare and Consumer Affairs has fined five European low-cost carriers EUR179 million euros (USD186.5 million) over "abusive" consumer practices, with more than half of the total fine levied on Ryanair (FR, Dublin International). The government has demanded immediate changes, particularly related to carry-on baggage fees.

The administrative fine imposed, based on a 2022 law that gives the ministry power to police consumer rights violations, covers the following airlines:

  • Ryanair - EUR107.8 million (USD112.2 million)
  • Vueling Airlines - EUR39.3 million (USD40.9 million)
  • easyJet - EUR29.1 million (USD30.3 million)
  • Norwegian - EUR1.6 million (USD1.7 million)
  • Volotea - EUR1.2 million (USD1.2 million).

The fines confirm an earlier suggestion by the General Secretariat for Consumption and Gaming and fees imposed in May 2024, which were later appealed by the carriers.

They relate to what the institution called "very serious" violations of consumer law linked to various additional fees and charges imposed by the LCCs. In particular, the Spanish government prohibited:

  • fees for the transport of standard carry-on luggage
  • mandatory paid seat selection to ensure children and dependents travel next to their companions
  • a ban on cash payments of fees at Spanish airports
  • "disproportionate and abusive" fees for printing boarding passes at the airport
  • a lack of clarity on how additional fees are displayed on the website, making comparisons difficult for customers.

Ryanair was singled out in particular for "disproportionate charges" for printing tickets at the airport.

The airlines have two months to appeal the decision in an administrative court.

"Norwegian is committed to providing safe, affordable travel, and our baggage policy reflects that. We believe it aligns with EU regulations and is essential for managing weight and limited space on board, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining on-time performance. We strongly disagree with the Spanish decision, and will follow up on the matter with both Spanish and EU authorities," Norwegian's spokesperson Eivind Hammer Myhre told ch-aviation.

"These illegal and baseless fines have been invented by Spain's Ministry for political reasons, are clearly in breach of EU law [...]. These illegal Spanish fines, which are based on an ancient 1960s law which predated Spain joining the EU, would destroy the ability of low-cost airlines to pass on cost savings to consumers via lower fares," Ryanair Holdings CEO Michael O'Leary commented.

Ryanair and easyJet both said they would appeal the fines. Volotea did not respond to ch-aviation's request for additional comment by the time of publication. Vueling and easyJet redirected the question to the Spanish Airlines Association (Asociación de Líneas Aéreas - ALA).

"ALA considers that the unilateral decision of this ministry is nonsense that turns its back on the EU and undermines the free market. The association warns that if the consumer sanction is applied, Spain would be the only country in the EU where the practice of charging for carry-on luggage would be prohibited, leaving the airlines that operate in this country at a competitive disadvantage," the industry group emphasised.

ALA stressed that the airlines' policies will remain unchanged pending the end of the administrative appeal process. It also reiterated that the European Commission started discussions about harmonising airline baggage rules across the European Union and any such decisions should be taken on the bloc level.