EC considers one-bag rule’s threat to duty-free

Bill Lumley

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ETRC considers next steps with the European Commission after positive talks with Consumer Affairs Commissioner

The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) is considering how to advance the progress it has made within the European Commission following talks with the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs about the threat presented to duty-free by the one-bag rule imposed by a growing number of low-cost carriers.

ETRC president Frank O’Connell held a meeting last month to discuss the industry’s concerns about loss of revenue with Commissioner John Dalli, which was arranged after the travel-retail representative body had discussed its own concerns with Malta’s minister for infrastructure, transport and communications Austin Gatt a day earlier.

Low-cost carriers now account for 30% of commercial air travel in Malta and the ETRC has serious concerns that Ryanair, key proponent of the one-bag rule, is expanding its own operations in the country. The airline’s own carry-on limitation has been widely condemned by bodies across the industry including Airports Council International for discouraging duty-free shopping at airports and harming airports’ revenue.

ETRC secretary general Keith Spinks told DFNIonline: “Our concerns were taken on board and now we are wondering what next steps to take with the Commission. The most pressing issue we have at the moment is those low-cost carriers that are restricting hand luggage, which directly restricts the commercial activities at airports.”