Budget airline EasyJet has raised alarm about European Union proposals that would mandate free cabin baggage, warning that the regulations would resurrect operational problems the industry spent years eliminating.
The legislative initiative, which secured strong support among European lawmakers, seeks to standardize passenger rights across the continent by guaranteeing free allowances for both personal items and larger carry-on bags. While consumer advocates celebrate this development, airlines express serious reservations.
EasyJet’s chief executive drew specific attention to historical precedents, noting that unrestricted cabin baggage was once a primary cause of boarding delays. When overhead bins fill completely, staff must remove bags and transfer them to cargo holds during the boarding process, creating bottlenecks that cascade through airline schedules.
Financial considerations also drive the airline’s opposition. Baggage fees represent a cornerstone of the low-cost carrier business model, enabling airlines to advertise competitive base fares while charging separately for services that not all passengers require or value equally.
The airline reported increased quarterly losses but attributes these partly to deliberate investments in expanding its Italian presence. Looking ahead, EasyJet sees encouraging signs in booking volumes and geographic diversification of passenger demand toward Mediterranean and African markets.