Five budget carriers deemed to have violated customer rights with various practices in ruling seen as challenge to business models

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

Spain has fined five low-cost airlines a total of €179mn for “abusive” practices, including charging extra fees for hand luggage and seat reservations. Spain’s consumer ministry announced the sanctions on Friday and hit Ryanair with the biggest fine of €107mn.

Spain's consumer rights ministry has fined budget airlines including Ryanair and Vueling a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for larger cabin bags, it said on Friday.

Operators say they will appeal against what Ryanair calls ‘illegal and baseless fines’ by consumer ministry

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 leftist government said Friday it has fined five budget airlines including Ryanair and EasyJet 179 million euros ($187 million) for "abusive practices" such as charging passengers for hand luggage.