Research at Budapest Airport has shown the detrimental effect that the application of strict one-bag policies is having on airport shopping.

 

The Hungarian airport, which carried 8.5m passengers in 2012, undertook a year-long comparison of the spending by passengers on two of its biggest low-cost carriers: Wizz Air (which allows airside shopping to be taken on board in addition to its usual cabin bag rules) and on Ryanair (which has a strict one-bag only policy).

 

SPENDING +23% HIGHER

The airport only compared routes that both airlines flew to and found that on Wizz Air, passenger spending was +23% higher. The study, which took place between June 2012 and May 2013, most likely reflects the reluctance of Ryanair passengers to shop at the airport because of concerns about whether they might be surcharged for an extra bag, or have to put bags into the hold.

 

Wizz Air has been vocal about its positive stance on airport shopping. Recently, Wizz Air spokesperson, Daniel de Carvalho, said: “Goods purchased at the airport after security – an important source of revenue for our 96 airport partners – will continue to be allowed in the cabin for free.”

 

The European Union is currently discussing an amendment to air passenger rights legislation to potentially include wording to address the issue of allowing airport shopping on board, rather than leaving it to airlines to make their own interpretations. The draft bill is expected to be ready by November.