00:00What if you had to pay for cabin luggage on a plane?
00:09This question is on the table when EU ambassadors meet on Wednesday.
00:14According to sources consulted by Euronews, member states are debating a proposal to create a new free hand luggage item,
00:21one that can be slipped under the seat.
00:24This means a charge could apply to other stowed cabin bags.
00:28The consumer associations believe that this surcharge would be illegal.
00:32Actuellement, what we need to know is that the European Court said very clearly
00:36that the bags at hand are part of the base price.
00:39So, normally, there is no charge on the price at the moment when the bags at hand have a reasonable size.
00:44So, what we see is a proliferation of the companies' practices of paying these bags at hand.
00:49What we need is to have very clear rules.
00:51The passengers must be able to take a bag at hand and a small bag or a bag at hand.
00:56The Airlines for Europe Association, which represents 17 airlines, has a different view of the judge's decision.
01:03According to the organization, the reform proposal supported by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
01:10should above anything provide clarification.
01:12I think it's important to point out what the current proposal from the polls does,
01:17is to set the dimensions for that personal item so that there is the clarity and transparency for all passengers,
01:23and also for airlines alike.
01:25So, I'd emphasize again, you know, under EU law, you know, under the single market,
01:30airlines have the right to unbundle their services in order to offer the best package for passengers,
01:37and that they can choose the exact services that they want to keep the price as low as possible.
01:41The other point up for discussion is regarding concerns on compensation for passengers whose flights are delayed.
01:48Currently, passengers are entitled to a compensation if flights are delayed for more than three hours.
01:53The latest proposal would increase this limit to four.
01:56Member states are divided.
01:59A few countries, including Germany and Spain, seem to be opposed to any change in the compensation rules.
02:05However, it is the entire revision that must be validated or rejected.
02:10In other words, opposing changes to the compensation rules will bring down the whole reform.
Comments