Ryanair criticises new EU261 rules on fare advertising

International

Airline says revised regulations will require carriers to display higher prices instead of their lowest available fares

Ryanair has criticised the latest changes to the EU261 passenger rights rules, arguing that the new requirements will force airlines to advertise higher fares by including the cost of a second cabin bag, even though more than half of its passengers choose lower-priced tickets without the additional baggage option. The airline says the changes will reduce the competitiveness of European carriers rather than benefit consumers.

Airline questions new fare display rules

According to Ryanair, the revised regulations will require airlines to promote fares that include a second cabin bag instead of highlighting their lowest available prices. The carrier argues that this does not reflect actual customer purchasing behaviour, as more than 50% of its passengers travel without a second cabin bag.

The airline believes the new rules will make fare comparisons more difficult and increase the advertised cost of air travel across the European market.

CEO calls for a focus on competitiveness

“These latest EU261 regs are more bureaucratic bunkum from the EU Parliament and Council. Instead of encouraging EU airlines to advertise our lowest fares (which exclude 2nd cabin bags), which is what over 50% of our customers choose, these new rubbish regulations require airlines to falsely advertise higher air fares, making EU airlines even less competitive,” said Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.

He also criticised the European Union for failing to address broader industry challenges, including emissions taxation and air traffic control performance.

“As usual, neither the EU Parliament, nor the Council, have done anything to improve the competitiveness of EU airlines by abolishing Europe’s failed harmful ETS taxation or reforming the EU’s broken ATC system. Europe’s ATC system accounts for over 90% of airline delays, yet the airlines are not allowed to recover our EU261 costs from these failing Govt monopolies.”

Call for wider aviation reforms

Ryanair argues that, amid current geopolitical challenges and increasing pressure on Europe's economy, policymakers should prioritise measures that strengthen the aviation sector rather than introduce additional regulatory requirements.

“At a time when Putin invaded Ukraine, and there is a war in the Middle East, Europe needs to be more competitive if it is to deliver growth. At this time of international crisis, all the EU Parliament and Council can do is invent new regulations, which will now force airlines to advertise higher air fares (which include 2nd cabin bag fees) instead of advertising our lowest air fares (which exclude 2nd cabin bag fees) which is what more than 50% of Ryanair passengers choose on a daily basis.”

The airline is calling on the European Commission and the European Parliament to abolish the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for intra-EU flights and to introduce reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of Europe's air traffic control system.