The carry-on baggage battle between Europe's leading low-cost carrier Ryanair and the Spanish Airports Authority AENA took another step forward this week with Ryanair issuing a comprehensive statement on their website clarifying their interpretation of the legal position. Simply the Spanish Airport monopoly recently sought and apparently gained a new statute in Spanish Law in an attempt to restrict what is commonly known as “the one-bag-rule”. This airline baggage condition restricts the passenger as to what he can carry on board an aircraft from airports.
The Spanish action was seemingly precipitated by complaints from European airports and their retail concessionaires that “duty-free” sales had dropped “up to 40%”, according to Ms Sarah Branquinho, Public Affairs Director of Spain’s largest airport retailer Autogrill, as quoted in Airport Business Magazine July 2010
Publicity surrounding this baggage fracas has only been seen to date in the airline, airport and duty-free trade press and up until now the forthcoming battle has been over-shadowed by the confusion surrounding the planned EU re-introduction of liquids in-flight. This was further highlighted last week when the UK Transport Minister Philip Hammond announced a 6 month delay in the proposed lifting of liquid rules with a Government source stating “The EU regulation will still come into force but, because of current security conditions, we are imposing stricter measures that mean, effectively, there will be no change”.
Meanwhile the airport operators in Europe and their retail counterparts have been pushing hard for both the liquid and baggage rules to be eased as their sales are allegedly hurting.
Press reports on the subject actually report Airports Council Europe Director General as saying that he commended the Spanish Airports on their legal action and recognising the right of passengers to carry their shopping onboard flights. But, there seems to be a direct correlation between the "defending of passenger rights and the alleged 40% drop in airport sales".
What seems to be unfolding here is a mystifying feud between the Spanish airports and in particular Ryanair. Recent bust-ups between the parties include the airline pulling out of both Gerona and Alicante due to disagreements over charges and procedures, whilst the baggage issue smoulders on.
What is more mystifying is when the baggage policies of other airlines operating to Spain are studied. Thomson Airways, a big charter and LCC, owned by the huge TUI Group quote the same regulations as Ryanair, but a lesser 5kg in-flight (by 50%) carry-on allowance. Their website states “Other bags such as handbags, laptop bags or laptop computers must be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. We recommend that video cameras, mobile telephones and other valuable items should be carried as hand luggage; they must not exceed the dimensions outlined above”, as do Monarch. Other airlines are similar with their rules, so why is there such a feud with Ryanair and why do AENA wish to pick a fight with all the major UK or Irish airlines that carry so many tourists to Spain? What is generally accepted as the best source for duty free sales statistics Generation Research of Sweden, quote airlines as having a 7% share of the market, whilst airports 59% (source 2009/10 Market review). Considering these shares and assuming they are accurate, is there a need for such a baggage fight and where are does this leave the Eco credibility of airports who wish to legislate to force more weight back into the skies?
This website advocates the purchase of duty free on arrival and all the benefits this practice brings, not to mention the fact that “duty free sales” within the EU do not actually exist as the practice was abolished by the very Legislators that seem (allegedly) to be supporting the Spanish legal action. Not to mention the arrivals shops currently being opened in all Spanish and UK airports because these airport sales (within the EU) do not legally need to be sold outbound and carried on aircraft at all. Even though non-EU Members, the Swiss airport Zurich seem to be one of the few dissenters as they recently issued a press release extolling the virtues of the arrival duty free shops they plan to open later this summer.
Press reports on the subject actually report Airports Council Europe Director General as saying that he commended the Spanish Airports on their legal action and recognising the right of passengers to carry their shopping onboard flights. But, there seems to be a direct correlation between the "defending of passenger rights and the alleged 40% drop in airport sales".
What seems to be unfolding here is a mystifying feud between the Spanish airports and in particular Ryanair. Recent bust-ups between the parties include the airline pulling out of both Gerona and Alicante due to disagreements over charges and procedures, whilst the baggage issue smoulders on.
What is more mystifying is when the baggage policies of other airlines operating to Spain are studied. Thomson Airways, a big charter and LCC, owned by the huge TUI Group quote the same regulations as Ryanair, but a lesser 5kg in-flight (by 50%) carry-on allowance. Their website states “Other bags such as handbags, laptop bags or laptop computers must be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. We recommend that video cameras, mobile telephones and other valuable items should be carried as hand luggage; they must not exceed the dimensions outlined above”, as do Monarch. Other airlines are similar with their rules, so why is there such a feud with Ryanair and why do AENA wish to pick a fight with all the major UK or Irish airlines that carry so many tourists to Spain? What is generally accepted as the best source for duty free sales statistics Generation Research of Sweden, quote airlines as having a 7% share of the market, whilst airports 59% (source 2009/10 Market review). Considering these shares and assuming they are accurate, is there a need for such a baggage fight and where are does this leave the Eco credibility of airports who wish to legislate to force more weight back into the skies?
This website advocates the purchase of duty free on arrival and all the benefits this practice brings, not to mention the fact that “duty free sales” within the EU do not actually exist as the practice was abolished by the very Legislators that seem (allegedly) to be supporting the Spanish legal action. Not to mention the arrivals shops currently being opened in all Spanish and UK airports because these airport sales (within the EU) do not legally need to be sold outbound and carried on aircraft at all. Even though non-EU Members, the Swiss airport Zurich seem to be one of the few dissenters as they recently issued a press release extolling the virtues of the arrival duty free shops they plan to open later this summer.
check before you fly at www.dutyfreeonarrival.com
