A consumer rights organisation that’s been supporting this and several similar cases called the decision “historic” and said it could cost cheaper airlines €10 billion ($16.5 billion) in Portugal alone.
Judge Antonio Oliveira Mestre ruled the airline couldn’t charge extra for bags measuring up to 55x40x20cm that fit in the overhead compartment, calling it a “violation of consumer rights”.
The airline was ordered to pay the fee back to the customer but Otávio Viana, director of consumer rights association Citizen’s Voice, said the precedent set by the decision could be much more costly.
In a groundbreaking decision, a Portuguese court has declared charging passengers for cabin baggage illegal, dealing a severe blow to European low-cost airlines. The ruling, which could cost airlines billions, comes after a Ryanair passenger challenged the €56.50 fee for carrying a cabin bag. The judge’s verdict emphasized consumer rights and set a precedent for similar cases.
With popular airlines like easyJet and Ryanair facing scrutiny for extra fees, European authorities have levied fines for violating customer rights. The push for standardized rules on cabin baggage across the EU reinforces the importance of passenger rights. This decision could have far-reaching implications for budget airlines and their business models.
As the debate continues, passengers stand to benefit from increased clarity and protection when it comes to airline fees. The ruling sends a clear message that consumer rights must be upheld, even in the competitive world of low-cost air travel.
[ad_2]
Source link