Spanish client watchdog levies heavy fines on airways over unfair charges

Five main European airways face mixed fines of €179 million from Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs for what officers describe as unfair charging practices, together with charges for carry-on baggage and adjoining seat reservations for households.

Ryanair obtained the biggest penalty of €107.8 million, while Vueling was fined €39.3 million and EasyJet €29.1 million. Norwegian and Volotea face smaller penalties of €1.6 million and €1.2 million respectively.

The ministry’s investigation discovered airways failed to simply accept money funds at airports and supplied insufficient pricing data, limiting customers’ potential to match providers successfully. The penalties particularly goal prices for printing boarding passes at airports and costs for seating dependent passengers collectively.

“No company is above the law,” Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy stated, emphasising the federal government’s dedication to client safety.

The Airlines Association (ALA) plans to contest the ruling. Its president, Javier Gándara, warned the penalties may injury Spain’s aviation and tourism sectors, saying intentions to enchantment and search interim measures.