Passengers flying across Europe could have one extra bag for free, but EasyJet’s chief exec Kenton Jarvis raged it was “crazy European legislation” and “terrible for the consumer”
Plans to allow passengers free extra cabin bags on planes across Europe has been dubbed a “lunatic idea” by easyJet’s boss. The airline warned of fare rises and flight delays if the law goes through.
It comes after the European parliament voted last week to give passengers the right to bring a small case as well as the free underseat bags currently permitted. EasyJet’s chief executive Kenton Jarvis raged it was “crazy European legislation” and “terrible for the consumer”.
He fumed it was “politicians completely not understanding their subject and getting involved with things they shouldn’t.” He added: “There just isn’t the space in the cabin, so that’s another lunatic idea.
“We would go back to the days of having to offload cabin bags and put them in the hold — it was one of the number one causes of delayed boarding in the old days.” Mr Jarvis said bag charges made up a large part of the airline’s annual income.
And he warned the move would mean “that would have to be passed on” in fare rises for all passengers. “I just can’t explain how stupid it would be, just crazy European legislation,” Mr Jarvis added.
It comes after European politicians backed proposals to allow passengers to take one “personal item” such as a handbag or backpack as well as a piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg (15lbs). The case alone would be bigger than the current maximum allowed free cabin item on Ryanair and other airlines.
The changes, which need to be approved by the European Council before becoming law, would apply to passengers travelling to or from an EU airport using an EU-based airline. Meanwhile, easyJet was rapped by the advertising watchdog for claiming the cost for bringing luggage was as little as £5.99.
The Advertising Standards Authority said the carrier hadn’t provided evidence that such prices were widely available. Mr Jarvis called the ruling “irritating” but said easyJet has changed the wording on its website.
The cost of baggage has long been a problem for passengers flying with low-cost airlines, with companies such as Ryanair imposing a strict £75 fine for anyone whose luggage does not automatically fit in the hold when directed to. Now, Ryanair is reported to be considering giving a bonus to any worker who is able to spot oversized luggage and impose the fines themselves.
Currently, Ryanair staff are given an extra £1.30 reward in their pay packet for each oversized bag they successfully spot, with a maximum amount being set at £70 per month. However, travel experts have warned that implementing such a rule would be the “tip of the iceberg” for companies looking to save as much money as possible.
Travel guru Paul Stewart said of the rules: “When airline management implements bonuses for spotting baggage abuses, staff enforcement will obviously become more stringent; as for Ryanair, I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. Once other low-cost airlines realise the potential for profit, they will most likely follow suit.”
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