Italian Competition Authority to suspend new cabin bag policies of Ryanair and Wizz Air

Italy's Competition Authority adopted (31-Oct-2018) interim measures to suspend new cabin bag policies of Ryanair and Wizz Air, planned to enter into effect on 01-Nov-2018. The policies allowed passengers to carry for free one small personal bag able to fit under aircraft seats, whereas an extra charge would be applied to larger cabin baggage. The authority stated this is a foreseeable contractual obligation for consumers and should be included in the standard price of airfares, arguing the request for a surcharge for additional baggage "misleads consumers with regard to the actual price of the ticket and distorts comparison with prices applied by other companies". The carriers are required to adopt compliance measures within five days, including temporary cessation of any activity intended to require the extra charge and make entire capacity created for hand luggage transportation in the aircraft available free of charge. [more - original PR]