Traveling by plane within the European Union may undergo significant changes in the coming times. A new legislative proposal, recently approved by one of the European institutions, is generating controversy and dividing member countries, including Portugal.
There will be a clear distinction between two types of hand luggage on the plane: one that is carried in the cabin, subject to payment, and another, smaller, which is under the seat and will continue to be free. The latter will have to respect fixed measures, such as backpacks or portable computer bags.
Countries dispute the decision made on the EU council
Spain, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia voted against this proposal in the Council of Ministers of Transport of the European Union, according to AS. In turn, Austria and Estonia chose to abstain. The measure was promoted under the rotary presidency of Poland.
New rule will still have to be debated in the European Parliament
Despite approval to the Council, legislative reform still needs to be discussed and approved by the European Parliament. MEPs may be changed or proposed amendments to the text before the eventual entry into force of the standard.
Delay compensation can also change
The regulation now under discussion is not limited to luggage. It is also on the table to review the criteria for offspring for flight delays, a theme that has also generated controversy among the Member States.
Currently, plane passengers are entitled to compensation if the flight delays three hours or more. The proposal under discussion foresees to increase this period to four or up to six hours, which will reduce the number of eligible passengers for compensation.
Compensation amounts will change
Another of the news is the values to be assigned. For flights with more than 3,500 kilometers, the compensation will become 300 euros. In case of delays of more than six hours, it may reach 500 euros, a lower value than currently established.
History of fines imposed on low-cost companies
This reform comes at a time when several low -cost airlines had already been the subject of sanctions in Spain. The reason? Practices considered abusive, such as the charge for hand luggage and the printing of boarding cards.
Among the targeted carriers are well -known names of the Portuguese public: Ryanair, Vueling and Easyjet. The Spanish government has filed lawsuits against these companies for over a year, culminating in a millionaire fine, according to the same source.
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Ryanair leads the list of penalized companies
Only the Irish company was fined 107 million euros. In total, the fines applied to Low-Cost totaled 179 million euros, a value that reflects the severity of the infractions identified by the Spanish Ministry of Consumption.
Spanish justice supports government position
In March, the National Hearing Attorney’s Office came to the Executive, supporting the thesis that companies’ practices violated Spanish legislation and consumer rights.
Minister classifies measures as “illegal”
Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, considered these additional fees “illegal”, noting that “Brussels’s decision is a run”. The ruler also denounced the lack of coherence between the EU decision and the national rules.
Definitive sentence is yet to decide
Despite the fines already applied, the processes are being contested with the Spanish court. The companies have resorted to the national hearing and the final outcome may take months.
Consumers await uncertainty the end result
Given this scenario, passengers are still unsure what to expect in future aircraft trips. The new regulation, if approved, will bring uniform rules, but may also reinforce the power of airlines on travelers’ rights, according to the.
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