"Baggage is not a human right". WizzAir opposed the abolition of hand luggage fees
Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi (photo - Aboutflight24)

CEO of the Hungarian airline Wizz Air believes that the EU plans to abolish the surcharge for transportation of hand luggage on board airplanes are irrational. This is what Jozsef Varadi said in an interview with the Polish edition of money.

"I understand that consumer rights are also a policy, but they should not be devoid of rationality. Decision makers are overreacting. Baggage is not a human right. And no one can convince me that a passenger should take a suitcase with him on every trip," Varadi explained his opinion.

An additional fee for the transportation of hand luggage is usually charged by so-called low-cost airlines, which include only a small personal item (a backpack, handbag or small package) in the basic ticket price.

Varadi believes that airlines will have to raise ticket prices after the new rules are implemented. But this is not the only possible scenario.

Every airplane has physical limitations, explained the Wizz Air CEO. It is not normal for the cabin to be overcrowded and for airlines to spend several hours moving excess baggage from the plane to the luggage compartment. This will lead to delays and even flight cancelations.

"Believing that they are solving one problem, politicians risk creating a new one," Varadi said, adding that rising ticket prices are not the only possible scenario.

EU wants to ban additional fees for carrying hand luggage on board aircraft as early as 2026. If this rule is confirmed during negotiations with EU governments, it will allow free baggage of 7 kg in addition to one small personal item that can fit under the seat.

Airlines criticized the initiative of the European Parliament and warned that the new rule would force carriers to raise ticket prices even for passengers flying with a minimum amount of luggage.