WhizzBang Supports EU’s Enforcement Actions Against Unfair Airline Practices
Brussels, November 22, 2024 – WhizzBang, the leading European network advocating for consumer and data protection for expatriates, acknowledges the recent enforcement actions taken by the Spanish government against several low-cost airlines, including Ryanair, for imposing additional charges on services such as hand luggage and seat reservations. These practices have been deemed “abusive,” leading to significant fines aimed at protecting consumer rights and promoting fair market practices. 
The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs has imposed fines totaling €179 million on five airlines:
- Ryanair: €108 million
- Vueling: €39 million
- easyJet: €29 million
- Norwegian: €1.6 million
- Volotea: €1.2 million
These penalties address practices such as charging extra fees for hand luggage, seat reservations for dependent passengers, disproportionate fees for printing boarding passes, and omissions in pricing information that hinder consumers’ ability to compare fares effectively. 
“Eliminating unfair charges is essential to uphold consumer rights within the EU,” stated Iwona Szczeblewski, Chair of EuroConsum e.V./WhizzBang Viadrina. “Such enforcement actions are vital to ensure that consumers, including expatriates who frequently travel across member states, are not subjected to deceptive pricing strategies that undermine the principles of the single market.”
WhizzBang emphasizes the importance of transparent and fair pricing in the airline industry, particularly for expatriates who rely on air travel for cross-border mobility. The organization encourages continued vigilance and enforcement by national authorities and the European Commission to safeguard consumer rights and promote fair competition across the EU.
For more information about WhizzBang’s initiatives and insights into consumer protection developments across Europe, please visit our website or contact our offices in Frankfurt/Oder, Aachen, or Brussels.
