Airline Fines Suspended: Ryanair and Norwegian Face Legal Challenge Over Cabin Bag Fees

Bag Fees

A Legal Dispute That Could Reshape Airline Pricing Across Europe

In a legal development that underscores growing scrutiny of low-cost airline practices, two major carriers—Ryanair and Norwegian—are temporarily spared from paying multi-million-euro fines issued by Spanish consumer authorities. The ruling, handed down by the High Court of Justice of Madrid in June 2025, suspends the sanctions while the companies appeal the decisions.

At the core of the case is a familiar controversy: charging passengers for services that many believe should be included in the base fare, such as cabin luggage, seat selection, or printing boarding passes at the airport.

What Triggered the Sanctions?

The Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs had imposed the following penalties:

• Ryanair: €112 million fine

• Norwegian: €1.8 million fine

The fines were linked to the following practices:

• Charging for carry-on luggage

• Extra fees for choosing adjacent seats

• Charging to print boarding passes

• Alleged lack of transparency in final ticket pricing

These practices, while legal under certain national frameworks, are increasingly under fire from both consumer protection agencies and EU legislators focused on fair pricing and transparency in the aviation sector.

What Does "Precautionary Suspension" Mean?

The court granted what is known as a precautionary suspension (medida cautelar), which temporarily halts the enforcement of the fines while a legal appeal is under review. This does not mean the airlines are cleared; rather, it buys them time to present arguments and potentially reduce or overturn the penalties.

However, this suspension came with conditions:

• Ryanair was ordered to secure an economic guarantee covering the full €112 million.

• Norwegian was required to provide a financial bond of €1.8 million.

In essence, both carriers must provisionally “secure” the amount while litigation continues.

Why This Matters for Consumers

This legal action highlights the conflict between airline pricing strategies and evolving consumer rights standards. While budget carriers argue that unbundled pricing offers flexibility and low fares, critics contend that opaque policies lead to unexpected final costs.

What could change for travelers:

• Greater transparency in what is included in a base fare

• More predictable costs across airlines operating in Spain and the EU

• Potential reimbursement or restructuring of fees if courts eventually uphold the fines

Still, nothing changes immediately. Passengers should remain vigilant and review fare conditions carefully before booking.

Bigger Picture: A Trend in Regulatory Pressure

This case does not exist in isolation. It follows broader moves by EU bodies to standardize passenger rights, particularly concerning cabin baggage policies (as discussed in our previous coverage). Airlines now face increasing pressure to justify and disclose all additional fees upfront, rather than relying on fine print or selective add-ons.

Several European courts have previously ruled against separate cabin luggage charges, but this is one of the largest financial actions to date. The outcome could set a precedent across the European airline industry.

What’s Next?

The Madrid court will now evaluate the full appeals presented by Ryanair and Norwegian. Depending on the results, possible outcomes include:

• Fines being upheld and enforced

• Partial reduction of penalties

• Full reversal, if the court finds merit in the airline defenses

These rulings could take several months, and other airlines may be watching closely to assess legal and financial risks around similar business practices.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Ryanair and Norwegian are appealing fines over allegedly abusive practices.

• The court suspended the fines temporarily, but both airlines had to provide financial guarantees.

• The case may influence how extra fees are handled across Europe, particularly concerning cabin luggage and fare transparency.