European Commission Rules Spain’s Airline Baggage Fines Breach EU Law
The European Commission has ruled that Spain’s fines on five low-cost airlines for baggage charges breach EU competition and pricing laws.
Spain fined Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, and Volotea €179 million for charging passengers additional fees for cabin baggage. According to Brussels, the fines restrict airlines’ freedom to set prices under existing EU regulations on air transport services.
The Commission said hand baggage should generally be free if it meets reasonable limits on size, weight, and security compliance. However, pricing for additional or oversized cabin bags remains at the discretion of airlines, as allowed under EU law.
Spain Ordered to Respond
Spain’s Air Navigation Law currently bans airlines from charging any fee for hand luggage, limiting pricing flexibility. The European Commission formally notified Spain through an infringement procedure, citing a failure to align national law with EU air service rules.
Spain has two months to respond and correct its legislation or face possible referral to the European Court of Justice. Earlier this year, a Spanish court suspended the fines while reviewing their legality, allowing airlines to continue normal operations.
Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy criticised the Commission, accusing it of defending large corporations over passenger rights.
Ryanair Cuts Flights Amid Regulatory Dispute
Ryanair linked Spain’s bag fines and rising airport fees to its decision to reduce its 2026 summer schedule. The airline will cut 1.2 million seats from regional routes and withdraw all services from Asturias Airport.
CEO Michael O’Leary accused the Spanish government of ignoring EU law and failing to reverse what he called “illegal bag fines.” He urged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to dismiss the Consumer Minister and act against excessive OTA charges harming consumers.
Ryanair claimed it could increase Spain’s air traffic by 40 percent by 2030 if regulatory barriers and costs were lowered.
Airlines for Europe Supports Passenger Choice
Airlines for Europe (A4E) welcomed the Commission’s move, saying passengers should decide what services they pay for – not regulators. A4E said “All member airlines already include one piece of hand baggage in the basic fare at no extra cost.”
The group argued that overregulation limits consumer choice and creates unnecessary confusion across European aviation markets. A4E added that nearly 50 million passengers to Spain in 2024 travelled with one free cabin bag, proving choice matters most.
The European Commission’s decision reinforces EU market freedoms and signals potential legal changes ahead for Spain’s aviation industry.