Ryanair are facing a fine from a regional Spanish government for imposing “illegal” hand luggage charges on customers.
The budget airline is said to have been found guilty of surcharging passengers incorrectly in 22 court cases, according to Olive Press.The Andalusian government is reportedly fining the Irish-owned carrier €46,250 (£38,523).
This comes with Ryanair facing a €108m (£89m) from the Spanish central government for “abusive practices”.
Michael O’Leary, the airline’s owner, has been embroiled in a bitter row with Spain’s consumer minister Pablo Bustinduy over the fine, issued last year. He has branded the politician a “crazy communist” and a “clown”.
Despite the regional Andalusian government, known as the Junta, imposing a fine of less than £40,000, a campaigning group wants Ryanair to be forced to hand over as much as £833,000.
Chair of the campaign group Consumers-in-Action (FACUA) Ruben Sanchez said: “The illegality is clear, there are already dozens of court rulings. The Ministry of Consumption is fining Ryanair €108million and now it is the turn of the autonomous communities.”
In a statement, the group added: “Consumer affairs service of the Junta in Seville pointed out that the airline’s practices are abusive after analysing the irregularities suffered by five Seville people who reported the issue through the association”.
However, Ryanair is not the only airline to be fined by the Spanish government for breaking hand luggage rules and for other irregularities.
Several other carriers have been slapped with charges, totalling €179m (£149m).
Vueling €39.2m (£32.6m), easyJet €29.1m (£24.2), Norwegian €1.6m (£1.33m) and Volotea €1.2m (£999,000) have all been fined for the same practices.
