Consumer groups want EU to take action over baggage fees

PARIS

Sixteen European consumer groups have called on the European Union to take action against seven low-cost airlines over their baggage fees.

The European Consumer Organisation, BEUC accuses airlines of "misleading" passengers and creating "confusion" and "distress" at check-ins with their different policies.

The action by the consumer groups names easyJet, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.

Passengers can pay up to 280 euros ($315) to take on a suitcase, depending on the airline, according to the consumer groups. They say that the fees and policies imposed by the airlines breach European Union aviation regulations and European Court of Justice rulings.

The groups, which come from 12 EU nations, have sought an investigation by the European Commission and national consumer authorities in EU states.

The BEUC said that a standard luggage allowance should be included in a plane ticket price.

The airlines were mainly unrepentant.

Ryanair said in a statement that it "welcomed" the complaint, which it predicted would "confirm that Ryanair's bags policy fully complies with EU Law", which "grants all EU airlines the freedom to set prices, including prices of optional services."

Norwegian also said it believed its rules were in line with EU regulations. 

Transavia, a subsidiary of Air France-KLM, and Volotea, referred to a statement by the industry body Airlines for Europe, which said: "The action taken today by consumer organisations would decrease consumer choice and oblige all passengers to pay for additional services that they may not all need."