Proposals by the European Commission to establish standardised luggage sizes have been criticised by airline groups.
The EU says the proposals are designed to eliminate confusion and additional costs for passengers. Airlines says that it will limit choice by passengers and their abiility to customise charges.
The Commission did not specify the sizes it had in mind. It says it prefers voluntary establishment of these standards by airlines, it has suggested possible intervention if progress is slow.
The Commission also proposes reinforcing passenger rights, particularly in terms of reimbursement for delayed or cancelled trips.
European airlines, represented by A4E, are calling on EU member states to use a new passenger rights proposal to address broader reforms that have been stagnant for ten years. It says the latest EU proposal offers limited improvements but lacks clarity on compensation entitlements and definition of extraordinary circumstances, as recommended by the Commission a decade ago.
