RYANAIR TO IMMEDIATELY APPEAL SPAIN'S ILLEGAL AND BASELESS BAGGAGE FINES

FINES ARE IN BREACH OF EU REG 1008/2008 WHICH GUARANTEES

AIRLINES PRICING FREEDOM

Ryanair today (22 Nov) instructed lawyers to immediately appeal Spain's unlawful and baseless baggage fines. Ryanair's bag policies have already been approved in multiple Spanish and EU Court hearings (see attached), most recently in the Barcelona Courts of Spain.

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary said:

"These illegal and baseless fines, have been invented by Spain's Consumer Affairs Ministry for political reasons, are clearly in breach of EU law. Ryanair has for many years used bag fees and airport check-in fees to change passenger behaviour and we pass on these cost savings in the form of lower fares to consumers. Today's illegal fines in Spain are in breach of EU law (Reg 1008/2008) and will be overturned by the EU Courts, which have repeatedly defended the right of all EU airlines to set prices and policies, free from Government interference. These illegal Spanish fines, which are based on an ancient 1960's law which predated Spain joining the EU, would destroy the ability of low cost airlines to pass on cost savings to consumers via lower fares.

The success of Ryanair and other low fare airlines in Spain and across Europe in recent years is entirely due to Europe's Open Skies regime and the freedom of airlines to set prices and policies without interference from national Governments which is what today's illegal Spanish fines are."

ENDS

For further info

please contact:                        Ryanair Press Office                                 

Tel: +353-1-9451799       

press@ryanair.com