A Belgian court has ruled that Ryanair must end certain commercial and marketing practices for flights sold in the country while allowing others to continue, following a case brought by local consumer association Testachats.
The decision highlights growing scrutiny across Europe of Ryanair’s pricing strategies, which rely on low ticket costs while charging separately for services traditionally included in fares. Regulators in several countries have challenged the airline over what they describe as aggressive or misleading sales tactics.
Court Highlights Misleading Practices
The Brussels enterprise court, in a ruling issued on January 28, said Ryanair must stop practices such as advertising discounts based on inflated reference prices, claiming seats are nearly sold out to pressure customers, and disclosing luggage fees for only part of a trip.
While some complaints, such as charging for large cabin luggage or requiring parents to pay to sit next to their children, were challenged, the court upheld those practices as lawful.
Testachats, the consumer association that filed the case, has indicated it will hold discussions with Ryanair’s legal team to decide whether to appeal the ruling. A spokesperson, Laura Clays, said these talks will determine the next steps.
Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance
The court warned Ryanair that it faces a penalty of €5,000 per day if it fails to comply with the order. The ruling aligns with previous European legal actions targeting the airline’s business practices.
Recently, the Italian competition authority fined Ryanair over €255 million for abusing its market dominance in dealings with travel agents, while Spain’s consumer rights ministry imposed a €108 million fine for charging for larger cabin bags. Ryanair has indicated it plans to appeal both fines.
Ryanair Responds
Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, defended the airline’s cabin bag policy, stating: “We welcome this clear and comprehensive ruling confirming once again, and in line with EU and national courts across Italy, Germany, Spain, and the EU Court of Justice that Ryanair’s cabin bag policy is fully compliant with EU law.”
The ruling reflects a wider push by European regulators to ensure transparency in low-cost airline pricing and protect consumers from misleading advertising tactics.
Looking Ahead
As low-cost airlines continue to dominate European air travel, the court ruling may have wider implications for the industry. Airlines may need to review and revise advertising, ticketing, and baggage policies across multiple markets to ensure compliance with EU consumer protection standards.
The case also reinforces the growing power of consumer associations in holding multinational corporations accountable for unfair commercial practices. For Ryanair, compliance will be closely monitored, with potential fines for any breaches. Meanwhile, passengers can expect more transparency and a clearer understanding of the true cost of their tickets.