They believe the extra fee is "incorrect commercial practice" and Ryanair have responded.
Italy's competition authority Antitrust have opened an inquiry into
Ryanair's recent decision to charge passengers for carry-on bags that weigh over 10kg, which the body described as an "essential" item for passengers.
As
reported previously, from November onwards, non-priority customers of the airline will only be allowed to take one "small personal bag", such as a handbag or laptop case, into the plane's cabin as long as it can fit under the seat in front.
Anyone that wants to bring an even bigger bag will have to pay additional charges that can range from €6 - €10.
From 1 November, a fee will be charged to passengers who wish to bring a second piece of hand luggage on a Ryanair flight, unless they are a priority boarding customer; priority boarding already commands an additional fee.
In a statement released to the Italian media, Antitrust said that hand luggage is "an essential element of transport" and that
"the price must be included in the basic ticket price, without surcharge".
They argue that Ryanair are being unfair because these additional charges for larger bags will distort the final price of the ticket and that it does not allow for a true comparison with other airlines' prices.
Antitrust believe that the extra fee is "unfair commercial practice on hand luggage" and if that is confirmed "Ryanair... should reimburse all its customers who suffer unfair additional costs", the association
Codacons said in a statement.
Codacons is a non-profit organisation of associations that work on behalf of consumers' rights protection. It is one of the most important and representative consumer associations in Italy.
Following news of this inquiry, Ryanair have released the following statement.
“We look forward to cooperating with this Italian inquiry. All Ryanair customers are free to bring one piece of carry-on bag onboard. But no airline customer has a right to unlimited carry-on bags. For safety reasons, most short haul aircraft cannot accommodate two carry-on bags for each customer."
It adds: "From November, half our customers will continue to bring two free bags onboard and the other half will continue to travel with one free small bag (which has been increased by 40% in size) and can, if they so choose, check-in a second 10kg bag for a new lower fee of €8 (currently Ryanair’s lowest cost check bag is €25)." All other airlines, including Alitalia, Easyjet and BA, restrict the volume of carry-on bags for safety reasons. We look forward to explaining these safety restrictions and generous carry-on bag policy to the Italian authority.”
