Spain’s national consumer protection watchdog has launched a formal investigation into Wizz Air, becoming the sixth low-cost airline under scrutiny for its cabin luggage fee policies. The Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs announced the expansion today, citing concerns that budget airlines may be misleading passengers by advertising deceptively low base fares that exclude basic travel needs.
The probe centres on whether Wizz Air, like its competitors, is charging extra for hand luggage items that should be considered essential for travel, such as small carry-on suitcases or standard cabin bags. These fees can add anywhere from €20 to €60 per journey, depending on timing and route.
Spain’s minister for consumer affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, called the practice “a systemic distortion of the market,” accusing several budget carriers of using unfair commercial strategies to mislead consumers. He noted that what appears to be an inexpensive ticket often doubles in price once the cost of luggage, seat selection, and boarding priority is included.
Wizz Air joins a growing list of airlines already under formal investigation by Spanish authorities, including Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Volotea, and Eurowings. Regulators are now assessing whether these fees violate Spain’s General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users, particularly in regard to transparency and contractual fairness.
Consumer groups across Spain have long called for reform, arguing that basic hand luggage should be included in the advertised ticket price, and that additional fees should only apply for larger or excess items. A recent survey by the Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) found that nearly 70% of passengers felt misled by online booking platforms.
Should the investigation confirm violations, Wizz Air—and other implicated carriers—could face fines of up to €100 million and be forced to change their booking systems.
In response, a Wizz Air spokesperson stated that the airline “complies fully with European and national laws” and will cooperate with the investigation. They defended their business model as offering “affordable and flexible travel” options suited to customer needs.
This move comes as part of a broader consumer protection campaign by Spain’s government, which is also pushing for EU-wide reform of airline pricing transparency. Officials in Madrid are preparing a proposal to be presented at the next Council of Transport Ministers in Brussels.
For now, Spanish travellers are advised to read the fine print carefully when booking flights and to document any unexpected charges.
