Flyers say goodbye to baggage fees

Transport Posted on 06/08/2012

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Flyers may soon be able to check in hold luggage free of charge. The announcement is down to the Malaga public prosecution office, which is preparing a court case against approximately 15-20 airlines which charge to check bags into the hold, as well as those who charge for issuing a boarding pass.

Travellers currently have to pay to bring a suitcase when journeying with low-budget airlines such as easyJet, Flybe and Ryanair. For example, holidaymakers who choose easyJet pay £31 per person to bring a suitcase on a return flight. Flybe's prices depend on the size of the bag and range from £10 to £30. Ryanair generally levies a fee of £15 to £30 per person per flight. However, during the peak summer period in 2012 its baggage fees rose to steep £40 per person per flight. These fees often make the final flight cost significantly less attractive than it seemed at first. In fact, on very cheap fares baggage charges can cost travellers more than the flight itself.

In this case, the Malaga public prosecution office argues that airlines are breaching the 1960 Air Navigation Law. This law obliges airlines to carry passengers' luggage as part of the price of the flight ticket. Despite this law, airlines frequently add extra costs. In fact, the total revenue airlines receive from surplus fees rose by 66 per cent from 2010-2012 according to Telegraph Travel.

This debate comes after 12 airlines agreed to waive hidden charges and include them in the initial cost of the flight in July 2012. Should Malaga public prosecution office's case emerge victorious, flyers may soon be able to say goodbye to baggage fees altogether.

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