European Union member states have agreed to prohibit budget airlines from charging fees for carry-on luggage, according to reports from De Telegraaf and VRT. This regulatory update, reached after 13 years of negotiation, preserves existing passenger compensation rights for flight delays, according to the Consumentenbond.
- Budget airlines are now banned from charging for carry-on bags.
- Existing compensation rights for flight delays remain unchanged.
- The agreement concludes a 13-year regulatory dispute over passenger rules.
Ending Carry-on Fees for Budget Carriers
The EU has banned budget airlines from applying extra costs to hand luggage, according to De Telegraaf. This move directly impacts the “unbundled” pricing models used by low-cost carriers, which typically strip away basic services to offer lower base fares and charge separately for baggage.
Preservation of Delay Compensation
While luggage rules have changed, the rights of passengers facing flight delays remain intact. According to the Consumentenbond, the agreement ensures that existing protections and compensation for delays are maintained. VRT confirmed that these compensation rights will stay in place for travelers across the EU.
A 13-Year Regulatory Struggle
The new agreement follows more than a decade of conflict over passenger rights. According to De Telegraaf, it took 13 years of struggle before EU countries reached a consensus on these updated regulations. The final accord aims to standardize passenger treatment and reduce the variance in how different airlines apply fees within the union.
