Historic Decision Marks First in Portugal Against Low-Cost Airline Charges
In a groundbreaking decision and as reported by CNN Portugal, the Judicial Court of Braga has ruled that Ryanair’s practice of charging passengers for cabin baggage is illegal. This ruling, made public on Wednesday, stems from a case brought by a consumer who contested the additional fees imposed for hand luggage. The case is one of eight similar lawsuits currently in courts across Portugal targeting low-cost airlines.
Judge Condemns Ryanair For Acting With Awareness Of The Illegality
The ruling has been hailed as a historic victory for consumer rights in Portugal. According to Otávio Viana, head of the consumer advocacy group Citizen's Voice, the decision sets a significant legal precedent, though similar judgments have already been made in the European Union. The court concluded that Ryanair cannot impose extra charges for hand luggage that meets standard size and weight requirements, with the judge condemning the airline for acting "with awareness of the illegality" of its actions.
According to the ruling obtained by CNN Portugal, the Braga court ruled that Ryanair “cannot apply a surcharge to the final price of the air transport service when the consumer is accompanied by unchecked hand luggage measuring up to 55x40x20cm and which fully complies with applicable safety rules and fits in the cabin in the designated area for this type of luggage”
Court Calls Out “Misleading” Pricing Practices
The court’s decision emphasized that Ryanair’s actions violated consumer rights by misleading passengers regarding the total cost of travel. Passengers were not informed at the time of ticket purchase that they would be subject to additional fees for hand luggage, a practice deemed deceptive. The ruling also stated that carrying essential items in cabin baggage is an integral part of the airline’s transportation service, meaning fees for such luggage should not be charged separately.
On this point, the association Citizen's Voice estimates that the damage caused by this practice to customers who are residents in Portugal could reach 10 billion euros.
Ryanair Faces Potential Multibillion-Euro Liability
The implications of this decision could be substantial. Citizen’s Voice estimates that should similar rulings follow in the other cases, airlines could potentially be forced to make up for the €10 billion in damages to affected passengers across Portugal. The court’s verdict is seen as a precedent, binding future decisions on similar claims. As part of the legal process, external auditors have been requested to assess the financial impact on the airlines.
European Context: Airlines Under Scrutiny
While this is the first ruling of its kind in Portugal, it follows a broader European trend. Earlier this year, Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs fined Ryanair, Vueling, and EasyJet €150 million for similar practices. Consumer rights organizations across the European Union, including Portugal’s Deco Proteste, have ramped up efforts to challenge low-cost carriers over cabin baggage fees, potentially triggering more legal battles in the near future.
Source:
CNN Portugal
Observador
Care for a share?
Comments