Miguel Praga

🛩 If flying from the UK, airlines like Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2, British Airways, and Tui UK must compensate €250 for delays over three hours. This remains unchanged post-Brexit, as the UK retained the same regulations despite the EU considering revisions. European flights departing from the UK are subject to the same rule. EU plans to compensate €300 for delays over four hours, but the UK chooses its established norm.

✈️ European low-cost airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air, are poised for victories. In 2024, Brussels might allow charging for carry-on luggage, and delay compensation rules could change, extending the compensation threshold from three to four hours. Current luggage size standards, slightly altered but favoring airlines, now require European Parliament ratification. Meanwhile, Spain's opposition has been ineffective. Travelers should expect minimal immediate changes but anticipate stricter carry-on regulations soon.

📅 El Imserso está implementando nuevas medidas para evitar problemas en la venta de viajes, tras experiencias previas caóticas. Se realizarán pruebas 20 días hábiles antes de la comercialización para asegurar el funcionamiento de la plataforma de reservas. Se exige que el sistema soporte 2,500 conexiones simultáneas y sea accesible para todos. Adjudicatarias deben proporcionar ocho conexiones a la base de datos dentro de un mes tras la formalización del contrato para la temporada 2025/2026.

✈️ In 2025, Spain faces Brussels over hand luggage fees. Currently, no European airline allows unrestricted carry-on baggage size; however, the lack of a defined "reasonable size" creates chaos. Low-cost airlines exploit this by shrinking allowed sizes to boost revenue. Despite clear size limits, passengers often exceed them. Political indecision on standardizing hand luggage dimensions exacerbates the issue, with calls for clear regulations to prevent further disputes.

✈ Condor and Luxair have filed a legal challenge against the European Commission's approval of Lufthansa's acquisition of Italy’s ITA Airways. The case, which could alter transaction terms, has unsettled Italy’s aviation sector. Condor claims compensatory measures for the merger are inadequate. The EU Court's unexpected rulings in the past suggest outcomes are uncertain. The case centers on competition concerns at Milan Linate Airport, with potential implications for shared codes on long-haul routes.

🛩 The Council of the European Union allowed airlines to charge for cabin luggage and established a free hand luggage size of 40x30x15 cm. Ryanair must adjust its policy from 40x20x25 cm. Five airlines, fined €179 million by Spain for charging for hand luggage, may win appeals. Vueling, EasyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea already meet the EU size requirement. The Airline Association (ALA) supports this reform for consistent regulations.