European Parliament calls for end of one-bag rule

Bill Lumley

Print Article E-Mail Article E-Mail Author

ETRC urges whole industry to participate in consultation to voice condemnation of one-bag rule

The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) has welcomed the decision of the European Parliament Transport Committee to call for EU measures to support enhanced air passengers rights. In particular the association welcomed the call for measures to formalise the right for passengers to carry their airside airport purchases on board. 

Members of the European Parliament Transport Committee voted today on MEP Keith Taylor’s report on the potential revision of air passenger rights. Amendment 100 was unanimously adopted, calling on the Commission “to propose measures that would make it possible to harmonise commercial practice concerning hand luggage so as to protect passengers against excessive restrictions and to allow them to carry on board a reasonable amount of hand luggage, including purchases from airport shops”. 

The one-bag rule has resulted in a significant deterioration of the passenger experience while having a dramatic effect on airport and airport retailer revenues wherever it has been imposed across Europe.

Confirmation of the adoption of this report is expected in plenary session on March 28, when it will send a very strong political signal to the European Commission that an EU solution needs to be found to put an end to the one-bag rule. 

ETRC secretary general Keith Spinks said: “I am delighted that Members of the European Parliament Transport Committee have recognised the need for the EU to guarantee that passengers can bring goods bought at the airport on board in addition to the airline prescribed hand baggage allowance—as they have done for 60 years. Passengers across Europe have been forced to pay extortionate ‘fines’ to bring their goods on board or, worse still, have to abandon their purchases altogether since certain airlines introduced this policy. Shopping at the airport has been part of the passenger experience since aviation began. It is now up to the European Commission to come up with a legislative proposal which we expect to see later this year. 

“There is further opportunity for the industry and for individuals to raise their concerns over this issue by contributing to the European Commission public consultation on the review of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation,” he added. 

The ETRC is urging on all stakeholders and individuals in the duty-free and travel-retail industry to participate in the consultation, which is seeking submissions and comments from interested parties on air passenger rights, including unfair restrictions on hand-luggage. This is a unique opportunity for the industry to ensure that their voice is heard. 

Parties are invited to submit their views ahead of the deadline of 12pm on the 11th of March through an online submission form. Further information and practical help on how to respond is available by contacting Julie Lassaigne at julie.lassaigne@humebrophy.com +322 234 6860.