Summary
- Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) is investigating Vueling over hand luggage fees and customer profiling methods, raising concerns about transparency in ticket pricing.
- Vueling denies the claims and asserts that its baggage pricing policy is transparent and compliant with regulations.
- This investigation follows an analogous probe by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs into several low-cost carriers regarding the variation in hand luggage fees. If airlines are found guilty, they might face substantial fines.
IAG low-cost carrier Vueling is about to return under investigation by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM), in response to an announcement shared by the federal government watchdog.
Ongoing probes
The investigation, announced on Wednesday, will see the AGCM examine Vueling’s hand luggage fees and customer profiling methods following concerns that it doesn’t provide clear enough information on the pricing variations between its website and mobile app. In accordance with the AGCM, the shortage of detail could limit transparency in aviation ticket pricing, harming consumers in the long term.
Vueling has denied the claims, noting in an announcement provided to Easy Flying that it would be working closely with the federal government body to supply relevant information and clear up doubts. A spokesperson explained,
Photo: Jake Hardiman | Easy Flying
The announcement comes hot on the heels of an analogous investigation underway by the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which is probing several low-cost carriers, including Vueling, for the variation in luggage fees.
If found guilty, airlines could face fines of as much as €1 million ($1.06 million) or eight times the cash in on such fees if the profit exceeds €1 million, in response to Reuters. Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, and Volotea are among the many seven airlines reported to be under investigation; nevertheless, Eurowings has since been cleared of any charges, Diario Sur reports.
Early precedent
Recent laws proposed by the European Union could see baggage and seat allocation fees scrapped for good. If approved, the revised EU Air Services Registration would prevent airlines from implementing certain hidden passenger costs and regulate the ultimate price. Similar petitions have also been raised with The EU Committee on Petitions (PETI) on the inconsistent rules across air operators for carry-on fees.
Photo: BearFotos/Shutterstock
In 2019, Spanish courts ruled Ryanair’s hand luggage pricing policy excessive and abusive as a result of between consumers and the carrier. The airline declined to vary its operating procedures, writing in an announcement shared on the time,
A second related court case in 2021 saw the Spanish Supreme Court declare Ryanair’s policy of sending baggage on alternative flights null and void, citing the carrier’s vague and generic justifications.
Vueling’s policies have also seen criticism, with the carrier the topic of a 2014 European Court of Justice ruling that airlines shouldn’t be charging fees for carry-on baggage provided it meets reasonable weight, size, and security requirements.
What are your thoughts on the AGCM’s decision to research Vueling’s pricing policies? What are your thoughts on airlines charging for carry-on baggage? Tell us within the comments.