Spain has fined five low-cost airlines a total of 179 million euros for bad practices, including hand luggage fees. The most severe sanctions are for "Ryanair" and "Izjet" - respectively 108 million and 29 million euros, BNT reported.
Spain's consumer rights ministry said it plans to ban carry-on surcharges and child seat reservations. The fines are the largest ever imposed by the ministry and were imposed following an investigation into the low-cost airline industry.
Misleading information and non-transparent pricing policies were found, "which hinders the ability of consumers to compare offers and make informed decisions", the Spanish authorities said.
The accusations against "Ryanair" are for violating a number of consumer rights, including charging for larger hand luggage, selecting passenger seats and requiring an unreasonably high amount to print out boarding passes at terminals. Each fine is calculated on the basis of the "illegal profits" realized by the individual companies through the vicious practices.
The head of "Ryanair" Michael O'Reilly said the sanctions were "illegal" and "groundless", as well as that he will challenge them before the justice of the European Union. O'Reilly says the savings are being used to lower fares for passengers.
And "Easyjet" and "Norwegian" will appeal their fines. The Spanish authorities defended their decision and indicated that it was in accordance with the legislation of the country and the European Union. "It is an abuse to ask for 20 euros just to print out a boarding pass at the airport," a representative of the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Rights told the BBC.