Data consistently show that travelling light is the choice for hundreds of millions of European passengers. In one of Europe’s largest air travel markets Spain, over 50 million (more than the population of Spain itself) didn’t need an additional piece of cabin baggage last year and had the choice not to have this included as part of their airfare [https://www.alaspain.com/consumo-quiere-obligar-a-50-millones-de-pasajeros-a-contratar-servicios-adicionales-que-no-necesitan-ignorando-la-opinion-de-la-comision-europea-y-en-contra-de-la-normativa-europea/].
Ahead of a European Parliament Transport Committee vote on 24 June, MEPs have proposed an amendment[Amending Regulations (EC) No 261/2004, (EC) No 1107/2006, (EU) No 1177/2010, (EU) No 181/2011 and (EU) 2021/782 as regards enforcement of passenger rights in the Union] that overrides the commercial freedom of airlines guaranteed under EU legislation and needlessly imposes a service on travellers who prefer to fly light. The result will be higher costs for millions of passengers who neither need nor use an extra trolley bag.
A4E urges the European Parliament to reject this amendment and preserve the consumer choice that has been central to the success of the EU Single Aviation Market and to accessible air travel for millions of consumers.
“Europe’s airline market is built on choice. Forcing a mandatory trolley bag strips passengers of that choice and obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of A4E.
“What’s next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t,” she continued.
