(Finance) – Ryanair ha instructed its lawyers to immediately file an appeal against them fines on baggage fines announced by Spain this morning, which the airline describes as “illegal and unfounded fines”. Ryanair’s baggage policies have already been approved in several proceedings in Spanish and EU courts, the latest being in the Spanish courts in Barcelona, it said in a statement.
“These illegal and unfounded fines, invented by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs for political reasons, they clearly violate EU law – commented the CEO Michael O’Leary – Ryanair has for many years used baggage fees and airport check-in fees to change passenger behaviour, converting these savings into lower fares for consumers.”
“Today’s illegal fines in Spain violate EU law and will be annulled by EU courtswho have repeatedly defended the right of all EU airlines to set prices and policies, free from government interference – he added – These illegal Spanish fines, which are based on an ancient law from the 1960s that preceded the Spain’s accession to the EU would destroy the ability of low-cost airlines to pass on cost savings to consumers through lower fares.”
“The success of Ryanair and other low-cost airlines in Spain and across Europe in recent years is entirely due to the European Open Skies regime and the freedom of airlines to set prices and policies without interference from national governmentswhich is what today’s Spanish illegal fines are,” O’Leary said.
(Photo: Kamal Haroui)