Ryanair: Photo:Alexander Fedosov / Shutterstock.com Ryanair in the fight against new EU regulations. The low-cost carrier is opposing recent changes to European Union aviation regulations, arguing that they would require airlines to advertise higher prices that include additional cabin baggage.
The company says more than 50% of its passengers currently choose a basic fare that does not include additional cabin baggage beyond the allowed personal item, and therefore, the new regulations could create a price presentation that does not reflect the actual choice of most customers.
As a reminder, Ryanair's criticism comes against the backdrop of the new passenger rights reform approved by the European Union. As part of the reform, new rules were established that were intended to strengthen passengers' rights in the event of flight delays and cancellations, along with regulating the issue of cabin baggage. Among other things, passengers' right to take one personal item on the plane free of charge was enshrined, while airlines will continue to charge for additional hand luggage in accordance with their policies.
The company claims that, in addition to expanding passenger rights, the new pricing method established as part of the reform could harm competition and present the public with prices higher than the rates many passengers actually choose.
The company added that instead of promoting measures designed to improve the competitiveness of the European aviation industry, the European Union continues to impose new regulations that it says increase costs and burden airlines. Ryanair called on EU institutions to also focus on reforms in air traffic control systems and taxation issues affecting intra-European flights.
"The new EU261 regulations are yet another example of unnecessary bureaucracy on the part of the European Parliament and Council," said Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, explaining: "Instead of allowing airlines to publish the lowest base fares, which are the prices chosen by more than 50% of our customers, the new regulations require us to display higher prices that include additional hand luggage. This means harming the competitiveness of European airlines."
For years, the European Union has failed to address the industry's fundamental problems, such as the air traffic control system, which is responsible for a large portion of flight delays in Europe, or the burden of taxation placed on airlines. Instead of addressing these challenges, it is choosing to add new regulation that will affect how flight prices are displayed.
"At a time when Europe needs economic growth and to strengthen its competitiveness, the decision to focus on additional regulation in the area of hand luggage does not serve consumers. We call on the European Commission and the EU institutions to focus on reforms that will strengthen the European aviation industry, rather than measures that will limit the ability of airlines to offer their lowest prices