Ryanair is facing legal action in Spain over its controversial hand luggage fees, which a prominent consumer rights group has labelled as “abusive.”
The Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has filed a lawsuit with the country’s Court of Appeals, urging the court to impose precautionary measures against Ryanair and other low-cost airlines. The move aims to halt the additional charges imposed on passengers for carry-on baggage.
The legal action follows a decision by Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and the 2030 Agenda, which recently imposed a €179 million fine on Ryanair and four other low-cost carriers over their controversial baggage policies, according to local media reports.
In its appeal to the National Court, the OCU has requested urgent measures to suspend the sanctioned airlines’ hand luggage fees and other practices deemed “abusive.” The organisation is also encouraging passengers to lodge complaints about these extra charges.
The OCU has advised travellers who have already filed complaints to retain their documentation as proof, in case further legal action is required.
“In 2024, the OCU received 1,139 complaints through the online platform Reclamar, with Ryanair accounting for the highest number of baggage-related complaints at 248,” Spanish outlet El Diario Cantabria reported.
The consumer rights group has also launched a campaign to raise awareness among travellers and support consumers in challenging airline practices they consider unfair.
