Europe's biggest airlines, including Ryanair, have been hit with punishing fines totalling £150 million for imposing "abusive" fees on travellers.

Ryanair and easyJet are among five airlines which have been fined €179m (£149m) for “abusive practices” such as charging passengers for hand luggage.

Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry has fined budget airlines Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for cabin luggage,

Spain’s Consumer Rights ministry demanded that the five low-cost airlines stop charging additional baggage fees.

These fines address practices such as charging extra for carry-on luggage, forcing families or dependents to pay for adjacent seats, and refusing cash payments at Spanish airports