The Italian antitrust authorities have prevented low cost airlines Ryanair and Wizz Air from introducing new cabin baggage charges from today onwards. Hand luggage was an „essential component“ in aviation, the agency said yesterday evening.
If travelers had to pay extra, this would not only distort the real price of the air travel, but would also mislead customers, argued the competition authority.
Surcharge of six euros
The new baggage policies of the two low-cost airlines provided that standard fare travelers can only take a small bag on board without paying more. So far, a wheeled suitcase with certain dimensions and weight was also free of charge if it was checked into the hold at the gate. Only for a surcharge of six euros may now be taken two pieces of luggage in the cabin.
The Authority called on Ryanair and Wizz Air to temporarily suspend all activities aimed at demanding a surcharge for „large cabin baggage“. Basically, there are no international rules on the size and weight of hand luggage, but only recommendations of the airline association IATA. The still free bag at Wizz Air and Ryanair is in the dimensions (40x20x25cm) well below the IATA specifications (56x45x25cm).
