Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has criticised new European Union baggage regulations, warning that the airline's lowest advertised fare could rise from £19.99 to £79.99 as a result.
New EU rules on carry-on luggage
Speaking to The Travel Expert, O'Leary said the European Parliament has mis-sold a new set of baggage regulations. The rules mean an airline must include a second carry-on bag in its advertised airfare.
The European Parliament upgraded air passengers' rights this month. A statement shared on July 7 reads: "The new rules now include the right to carry on board, without extra cost, one personal item, such as a small bag or backpack."
The statement adds: "To improve price transparency and comparability, MEPs insisted on obliging airlines, intermediaries and search portals to always display the air fare inclusive of carry-on luggage at the outset of the booking process. Airlines may offer cheaper tickets for passengers who decide to travel without hand luggage."
O'Leary's criticism
O'Leary said: "Overnight, you'll make European airlines look even less competitive than they are today. Our lowest fare today say is 19.99, 60 quid if you want to bring a carry-on bag. The lowest we'll be able to advertise going forward in 18 months’ time when these stupid regulations come in, we'll have a low fare seat sale '79.99', but with a big strapline beneath it, 'You can reduce this by another 60 quid if you don't bring the second carry-on bag'."
He said that European airlines have pointed out there is not enough space onboard aircraft for two bags per passenger. Less than half of Ryanair's passengers can bring a second bag, managed by selling priority boarding tickets, which is closed off at 45% of the plane.
Most passengers want the lowest airfare, O'Leary said, "and of course for the morons in the European Parliament, they don't care what people want." He added that 99.99% of passengers want to know the lowest airfare. "If the lowest airfare excludes a second carry-on bag, they're quite happy to travel without a second carry-on bag and they do so daily in their millions."
