- Dresden Higher Regional Court upheld vzbv's stance on mandatory baggage cost transparency in flight pricing.
- Airfares must include costs for optional additional services as per Art. 23 para. 1 of the Air Services Regulation.
- Clear and transparent baggage cost information is crucial for effective price comparisons during the booking process.
- The ruling applies to airlines and agents, regardless of booking capability on their online platforms.
In the flight costs, which use e.g. Billigairlines in complicated way, must, according to the consumer center also the costs for the luggage clearly and clearly indicated.
Dresden Higher Regional Court upholds VZBV
The Dresden Higher Regional Court confirmed the vzbv’s view that an online flight agent would otherwise violate Art. 23 para. 1 of the Air Services Regulation would be violated. This stipulates that airfares must also include the cost of optional additional services.
The information must be clear, transparent and unambiguous already at the beginning of each booking process. Carrying larger pieces of luggage, the judges said, is essential for many passengers. The additional costs to be paid for this would have a considerable impact, especially at low airfares. Their indication is therefore of central importance for an effective price comparison and would also oblige the person who is only an intermediary of the flight (typically e.g. an online travel agency).
The court also ruled that the airline or the agent owes this information, even if the additional baggage could NOT be booked on the respective portal.
