Consumer organisations from 31 European countries back Government of Spain's sanctions on low-cost airlines

The Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, during the executive meeting of the European Consumer Organization

The Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, took part in the executive meeting of the European Consumer Organisation, known as BEUC (Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs). The meeting was held exceptionally in Spain, specifically at the Madrid headquarters of the OCU (Organisation of Consumers and Users) for the 50th Anniversary of the organisation.

During the meeting, Agustín Reyna, Director General of BEUC, which represents 44 consumer organisations in 31 European countries, conveyed to Minister Bustinduy the support of all these groups for the sanctions imposed by Consumer Affairs on five low-cost airlines for abusive practices such as charging extra for hand luggage and to reserve seats next to each other for accompanying dependants.

In statements to the media, Pablo Bustinduy thanked the BEUC for supporting the Government of Spain's sanctions, welcoming the fact that "an increasing number of complaints are being filed in European countries about abusive practices by airlines", which shows the "growing concern" throughout Europe for consumer protection. "We are working so that the institutions stop protecting companies more than consumers," he said, highlighting the fact that Spain has become a benchmark by being the first country to impose this type of sanction for abusive practices in airlines.

With these sanctions, Spain is leading a change of trend in Europe so that citizens' rights take precedence over the abusive practices of large companies, "and so that consumer relations are more democratic, fair and transparent". The minister also urged that this shift be transferred to other European countries, for which, as he pointed out, the work of consumer organisations in the different countries of the continent, represented today at this executive session of the BEUC, is essential. "Companies cannot systematically violate consumer rights with impunity", he said, reiterating that the actions taken by the ministry he heads are aimed at sending the message that "no company, however big or powerful, is above the law".

"We are the first to act, but we will not be the only ones", said Bustinduy, referring to the processes that are already being implemented in other European countries, taking as a reference the actions undertaken by the Government of Spain, and for which the minister expressed his collaboration "to share our experience and support these efforts". In this regard, he once again highlighted the work of consumer organisations in order for these processes to go ahead, thanking once again the support received by all of them in Europe as a whole and also in Spain, where the Council of Consumers and Users (CCU), which includes the main Spanish associations, recently supported with an institutional declaration the sanctions of €179 million against Ryanair, Vueling, Easyjet, Norgewian and Volotea.

Agustín Reyna, director general of BEUC, called on the European Commission "to stand on the side of consumers against companies that abuse consumers and violate European law". The head of the European Consumers Organisation also stressed "the importance of consumer policy as a central pillar in the development of the European single market". In this regard, during the BEUC executive meeting, the complaints filed by consumer associations from different countries against the abusive practices of low-cost airlines were discussed, and new actions to promote that these infringements are sanctioned and stop being carried out in the EU and in the different countries that form part of the continent were assessed.

Meanwhile, Ilena Izverniceanu, director of communication and institutional relations of OCU, stressed that the organisation she represents "is working to ensure that consumers who have been victims of abuse by airlines can be compensated", explaining that, to this end, the OCU has launched a "lawsuit witness" to claim the refund of payment for cabin baggage in cases concerning Ryanair. She also recalled the early European vocation of the OCU, which joined BEUC in 1979, and the importance of this entity in Spain, which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Both Minister Bustinduy and the Director of the BEUC expressed their congratulations to the OCU.

The BEUC executive meeting also discussed the organisation's action plans in relation to the new European Consumer Agenda 2025-2030, one of the main challenges which, in the words of the organisation itself, the European Commission must face in its new term of office. Among them is the need to increase the safety of consumers in their online activities, where according to the European Commission's own data, 45% of consumers have been victims of online scams, and where a significant part of the public suffers unfair practices such as fake reviews and misleading discounts. BEUC also pointed out that the implementation and enforcement of European legislation must be ensured, including the imposition of sanctions on companies that do not respect consumer rights.

Non official translation