Overview
- The Oberster Gerichtshof found 14 of 15 Ryanair fee clauses unlawful in a case brought by the Verbraucherverein für Konsumenteninformation on behalf of the Social Ministry, a ruling published on Monday.
- The court listed specific charges it found unfair, including airport check-in, boarding-pass and infant fees, mandatory family-seat and many baggage, rebooking and name-change fees.
- The change in how those fees may be charged for bookings governed by Austrian law takes effect from mid-September, after which opaque ancillary charges may no longer be imposed.
- Austrian customers who paid fees based on the struck clauses can seek refunds using guidance and a template published by the VKI and the European Consumer Centre (EVZ).
- The ruling pressures low-cost carriers to change booking displays in Austria and could prompt similar national challenges across the EU, while passengers in other countries must rely on their own national courts for remedies.