Low-cost airline, Ryanair, one of the biggest providers of Cheap Flights to Spain, has been slammed for its planned fine for passengers who try to carry more than one piece of hand luggage onto the plane, which effectively places a ban on purchasing 'duty-free' purchased at the airport.
As reported two weeks ago (Ryanair to Fine Passengers with Too Much Hand Luggage), the Irish airline will be handing out on-the-spot fines of 30 euros to any passenger who attempts to carry more than one bag into the cabin with them. With many passengers attempting to take all their luggage into the cabin so that they can avoid Ryanair's extortionate baggage fees, few will have any space to fit their 'duty-free' shopping into their single bag.
Airports throughout Europe (as well as a number of media outlets) have expressed alarm at the move, according to The Moodie Report Media pressure builds on Ryanair as low-cost carrier snaps back at 'duty free' criticism. The Dublin Airport Authority has said that the move "could be a big problem".
Ryanair's new policy is the latest in a long line of measures that have hit European air travelers, not least those flying to Spain, who have also had to contend with two of the airline's destinations in Spain being canceled (with refunds but no compensation given to passengers who have lost out). Ryanair's fees for the use of a credit card, airport check-in and checked baggage are among the highest in Europe and can leave passengers paying more than they expect. Read more about How to Get the Cheapest Flights with Ryanair.
See also my resources on Cheap Flights to Spain
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There is a simple solution to this problem….Duty Free on arrival!
Good point, Mr/Ms Jones!
But when I get to my destination, all I want to do is get out of the airport! Duty-free shopping, for me, is a way of killing time between check-in and take-off.
For generic goods ( Ciggies / Alcohol ) – buy and pay before departure, and collect on arrival.
For specific goods, deliver them to your home.
Joe, this can be done now…look at http://www.dutyfreeonarrival.com
Actually, there’s no Duty Free inside Europe anymore (remember: single market, no tariffs). You only get “Travel Value”, which probably is still cheaper than high street prices for things with a high tax level (think cigarettes).
This is how it works: Everyone pays the same price but the merchant doesn’t pay duty on passengers’ purchases who are flying overseas but he does pay the appropriate taxes for intra-European passengers. He then averages the taxes paid and not paid, adds a profit margin, et voilą, you have the Travel Value price.
You’re right, Max. But ‘duty-free’ is still the phrase people use. It’s quicker than “stuff bought at the airport”.
I’ve added inverted commas round the words to show that it isn’t really duty-free anymore.