The European Parliament has thrown its weight behind a recent report undertaken by the EP transport committee, which revealed the negative impact of the one-bag rule on regional European airports, which increasingly rely on retail sales to support their operations. The report claimed some airports had lost up to 70% of their sales due to the one-bag rule.

ETRC president Frank O’Connell said: “I am pleased the European Parliament recognised the urgent need to put an end to airlines forcing passengers to pay exorbitant sums to bring airport shopping onboard. Charging up to Ä40 (£32) to bring on board a bag of duty free is grossly unfair upon the passenger and is destroying established airport retailing.”

Ryanair, the EU’s largest low-cost airline, and other no-frills EU-based carriers limit passengers to a single carry-on bag, charging anybody taking on extra bags, purses and duty-free purchases.