Italy's Antitrust contests Ryanair's hand baggage charge

Italy's competition authority Antitrust has opened an inquiry into low-cost airline Ryanair's decision to charge passengers for hand luggage, a which the body described an "essential" item for travellers. From November, non-priority customers of the no-frills airline will only be allowed to take one "small personal bag", such as a handbag or laptop case, into the plane's cabin as long as it can fit under the seat in front. However they will be charged if they want to take on a 10kg holdall or suitcase. Hand luggage is "an essential element of transport" so Ryanair, and all other carriers, should include the price in the cost of a plane ticket, Antitrust said in a statement cited by the Italian press. The new Ryanair policy could amount to unfair commercial practice in that it distorts the final price of the ticket and does not allow a true comparison with other airlines' prices, according to Antitrust. Ryanair announced last month that customers who want to bring more than a small bag into the cabin will have to pay extra charges ranging up to E9. Italian consumer associations had complained to Antitrust about the Ryanair decision.<br/>