Ryanair boss slams EU rule change to flight bookings

Michael O’Leary called changes to air passenger rights “gobbledygook” and “bureaucratic bunkum” in a statement published on the airline’s website on June 16.

The rules, announced a day earlier, require airlines to display fares including at least one carry-on bag before the booking process begins.

The European Commission says the update will improve transparency and help customers make fairer comparisons.

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Mr O’Leary said: “These latest EU261 regulations are more bureaucratic bunkum from the EU Parliament and Council.

“Instead of encouraging EU airlines to advertise our lowest fares (which exclude second 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.”

Ryanair claims the rule will mislead passengers who want the cheapest fares, which do not include a second cabin bag.

According to the airline, around half of its customers select the basic option and travel with just a small under-seat bag.

The UK is expected to follow suit with the rule change, as EU261 was adopted into British law post-Brexit.

Mr O’Leary also criticised the EU’s broader approach to aviation regulation.

He said: “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.”

The Emissions Trading System (ETS) requires companies to buy permits for each tonne of carbon they emit—costs Ryanair believes further harm airline competitiveness.

Mr O’Leary argued that more pressing issues, such as air traffic control (ATC) delays, are being ignored.

He said: “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 Government monopolies.

“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.

“This will now force airlines to advertise higher air fares (which include second cabin bag fees) instead of advertising our lowest air fares (which exclude second cabin bag fees) which is what more than 50% of Ryanair passengers choose on a daily basis.”

He urged Ursula von der Leyen and EU leaders to focus on meaningful reforms.

Mr O’Leary said: “Ryanair again calls on Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU Parliament, to stop making rubbish regulations which makes EU air travel less competitive, and instead do something competitive for European consumers.”

Among other rule changes is a new ban on denying boarding for return flights if a passenger did not take the outbound leg.

However, Ryanair maintains that the carry-on change will confuse customers looking for the lowest fare and further burden airlines with unnecessary red tape.