EU lawmakers vote to bar carry-on luggage fees on planes

Article content

BRUSSELS — European lawmakers pushed on Tuesday to ban airlines from charging passengers for small carry-on luggage in a move strongly opposed by the aviation sector.

The European Parliament’s transport committee adopted a proposal that would allow travellers to bring a personal item into the cabin, such as a handbag or backpack, and a hand luggage of up to seven kilos (15 pounds) at no extra fee.

The measure sought to spare passengers “unjustified extra costs”, said Matteo Ricci, a centre-left lawmaker and bill’s lead sponsor.

Many low-cost air carriers include only one small on-board item in the ticket, charging extra for other hand baggage.

Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry association, condemned the proposal, suggesting it would result in higher flight prices, upping costs for those who travel light.

“Forcing a mandatory trolley bag… obliges passengers to pay for services they may not want or need,” A4E managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou said ahead of the vote.

The measure, which would apply to all flights departing or arriving within the 27-nation European Union, was adopted as part of a package of amendments to passenger rights rules put forward by the European Commission.

The transport committee also voted to introduce a common form for compensation and reimbursement requests as well a defined list of extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters or war, under which airlines can deny those.

The proposals must next go to a vote by the full parliament.

They are subject to change as they will need to be negotiated with and approved by member states before they can enter into force.