Meeting in Brussels, European transport ministers approved by a majority a draft revision of air passenger rights. Among the proposed measures is a sensitive point: the end of the obligation for airlines to carry one piece of standard cabin baggage free of charge. In short, only a small bag that can be stowed under the seat will remain included in the ticket price. For the rest, carriers will have complete discretion to set additional fees.
This change is not a sudden development, as it is part of a broader desire to reform European air transport rules, particularly to better regulate compensation in the event of delays or cancellations. But above all, it is a victory for low-cost airlines, which have long been demanding an end to the strict interpretation of a ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU requiring them to include a “reasonable” piece of hand luggage free of charge.
The European Parliament still needs convincing
Be careful, however: this decision is only a step. The text adopted by the Council of Ministers still needs to be examined by the European Parliament. And the discussions promise to be tense.
Several Member States, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Slovenia, voted against the provision, believing it to be a step backward for consumers. NGOs such as BEUC (European Consumer Organisation) also denounce it as a challenge to passengers’ fundamental rights. “This is an unacceptable regression,” the organization declared, pointing out that reasonably sized cabin baggage is an integral part of a trip. If Parliament rejects this measure, the text will have to be renegotiated. But if the assembly validates the Council's position, then airlines will be able to, in a completely legal manner, start charging for suitcases previously included in the basic fare. A reform that comes at a bad time For many travelers, this reform is not going down well. While ticket prices have risen sharply in recent years, having to pay for a simple piece of hand luggage seems in total contradiction with the promises of price transparency regularly displayed by Brussels. Above all, it runs counter to the trends observed in other sectors, where efforts are being made to better protect consumer rights. The risk is real: that of seeing practices already well established among certain low-cost carriers become widespread, where the slightest kilo of baggage becomes an excuse for overcharging. And for passengers who until now preferred cabin baggage to avoid extra costs in the hold, it's a cold shower.
This green light from the Council also reveals a political divide on the concept of passenger rights. On one side, countries that focus on competitiveness and price freedom. On the other, those that defend a more social approach to air transport, recalling that travel should not become a luxury that can be adjusted by the cubic centimeter.
As it stands, the reform leaves a wide margin of interpretation for airlines. Some could maintain a minimal free service, others take advantage of it to systematically monetize baggage. The domino effect could be rapid, as we saw with seat selection fees, once optional and now almost inevitable.
0 Comments