A Spanish court said on Thursday that it has temporarily halted the substantial fines imposed by the country’s coalition government on budget carriers Ryanair and Norwegian Air over what were deemed ‘abusive practices’, including charging passengers for hand luggage.
The court in Madrid confirmed it had accepted the appeals filed by the two airlines against the fines – €107 million for Ryanair and €1.6 million for Norwegian Air – while the legal dispute remains unresolved. ALSO READ: Spain fines Ryanair, easyJet and other low-cost airlines for ‘excessive’ hand luggage fees.
In its ruling, the court pointed to the significant financial burden of the penalties, arguing that they could ’cause a mismatch and difficulties for the treasury’ of the affected companies, justifying the suspension.
While the fines are on hold, the airlines are required to provide financial guarantees amounting to nearly €112 million in total.
Back in November, the consumer affairs ministry announced sanctions against five airlines, accusing them of ‘abusive practices’, such as fees for cabin luggage, misleading customers and a lack of price transparency.
Ryanair was specifically penalised for demanding what was described as a ‘disproportionate amount’ from customers who needed to print boarding passes at the airport because they didn’t have them beforehand.
Other airlines fined included easyJet as well as Spanish carriers Volotea and Vueling.
At the time, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary condemned the sanctions as ‘illegal and baseless’, dismissing them as politically motivated.
Pablo Bustinduy, the left-wing Consumer Rights Minister at the centre of an on-going dispute with Ryanair over his regulatory push, admitted that the contested practices would remain in place until the courts issue a final ruling. ALSO READ: Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary calls Spanish minister a ‘crazy communist’.
Responding to the temporary suspension, Bustinduy said on social platform Bluesky that the outcome was ‘normal and predictable under the rule of law’, but he stood firm in his position, stating that ‘charging for hand luggage is illegal’. ALSO READ: Ryanair ad campaign depicts Spanish minister as clown in ‘illegal’ fines row.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s transport committee has put forward a proposal to require airlines to allow passengers to bring a personal item, like a handbag or backpack, along with a second piece of cabin baggage weighing up to seven kilograms.
However, Airlines for Europe, the industry trade group, has argued that such regulations could drive up fares for travellers who opt to fly with minimal luggage.
Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter from Spain in English.
ALSO READ: Ryanair issues ‘league of delays’ table, warning Spain passengers to expect more this summer.
Mantienen suspendida la multa a Ryanair y Norwegian por cobrar el equipaje de mano, pero les imponen avales https://t.co/nD1Hv2OaZr
— EFEnoticias España (@EFEnoticias_ES) June 26, 2025
Click here to get your business activity or services listed on our DIRECTORY.