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An amendment establishing the right of passengers to carry at no extra cost their airport purchases onboard aircraft was passed yesterday during a vote on the revision of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation that took place in the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee.
The compromise amendment adopted in Committee states that: “Passengers shall be permitted to carry in the cabin, free of charge, essential personal items or belongings such as coats and handbags, and including at least one standardised bag of airport shopping in addition to the prescribed maximum cabin baggage allowance”.
This vote establishes the principle that airlines can no longer restrict or charge passengers for carrying their airport shopping onboard, in addition to their normal hand baggage allowances. Yesterday’s vote reaffirms the practice which has been in place for the last 60 years and is still accepted by the majority of airlines today.
The report will now go to vote in Plenary in February 2014 and will be subject to negotiations with the Council and European Commission.
ETRC and its national associations will continue to work with EU Member States to seek national governments’ support for the European Parliament’s position: to find a permanent legislative solution to restore passenger confidence in airport shopping and end consumer confusion.
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