On Tuesday 16 September, Spain’s Minister for Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, has asked the European Commissioner for Transport, Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas, “to meet with representatives of the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and consumer associations from 13 EU Member States, regarding the abusive practices of low-cost airlines” (see EUROPE 13645/15).
The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs reported that Mr Bustinduy had expressed, during a videoconference meeting with Mr Tzitzikóstas, “his concern at the pressure exerted by Ryanair within the Commission for the Community authorities to intervene in the appeals that have been brought against the sanctions imposed in Spain against certain airlines”.
In late 2024, the Spanish Ministry announced sanctions against what it considered to be abusive practices on the part of these airlines, in particular charging extra for the carriage of hand luggage in the cabin or for the selection of seats to accompany children or dependent persons. However, in June, the Spanish courts suspended the heavy fines until the merits of the case had been decided. Indeed, Ryanair described the sanctions as “illegal”, arguing that it was within its rights to set its own prices and policies without state interference. On Wednesday 3 September, Ryanair also announced a 16% reduction in its capacity in Spain, including the discontinuation of services to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Tenerife North airports due to “excessive airport taxes”, according to Agence France Presse.
While the Commissioner met Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, on Friday 12 September, the Spanish Minister stressed during the video conference that “these sanctions were imposed in compliance with all procedural guarantees and with legal certainty for the companies concerned”. He referred to Spanish legislation, but also to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
“The Minister was surprised by certain similarities between the Commissioner’s arguments and the general line of Ryanair’s interventions and hopes that this does not mean that he is neglecting his obligation to defend passengers’ rights”, the Ministry stated.
The revision of the Air Passenger Rights Directive is currently the subject of inter-institutional discussions (see EUROPE 13654/1, 13666/14). (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)