A draft report on air passenger rights by European Parliament Rapporteur Georges Bach could see the end of the “one bag rule”.

 

Georges Bach is a Member of the European Parliament leading the discussions on the issue in the Transport and Tourism Committee which has tabled a very important amendment [article 6 d – paragraph 1a, Regulation EC No 2027/97).

 

If this is agreed during the first half of 2014, the following paragraph will become law: ‘1a. Passengers shall be permitted to carry in the cabin, free of charge, essential personal items or belongings including airport shopping, in addition to the prescribed maximum cabin baggage allowance.’

 

 

Rapporteur Bach (shown here) has also stated in his report: “The practice adopted by certain carriers allowing passengers to carry a single piece of hand luggage on board and then charging for any additional item such as their airport shopping has led to confusion among passengers and to a deteriorated economic activity of airport outlet retailers.

 

ESTABLISHING PASSENGER RIGHTS…

“Passengers should be allowed to carry in the cabin essential personal items or belongings including airport shopping at no cost in addition to the prescribed maximum cabin baggage allowance (Article 6d (1a new). A less restrictive policy of air carriers would also counteract the decline in sales of outlet retailers.”

 

This development represents a very important step forward in the campaign to have the one bag rule removed, although there are still a few hurdles to negotiate before this becomes law. The European Parliament still needs to debate the report on 16 September, with a vote expected in early November. Further amendments could also be proposed at these stages.

 

A vote in plenary session is also scheduled in January of next year. In the meantime, the report is being debated and amended by EU Member States at the Council level. An agreement on the final legislative text between the EU institutions is now expected during the first half of 2014, subject to the European elections in May and June 2014.

 

Much of the credit for this vital amendment being included in this document must go to the ETRC and ACI EUROPE who have both played major roles in lobbying for this change and built up a great deal of support for the measure within the European Parliament in particular.