IN A DEBATE in the European Parliament yesterday, MEPs called for the addition of a hand luggage allowance rule to the air passenger rights legislation, which is to be tabled before the summer.

British MEP Brian Simpson said that, while he was aware that rules had to reflect different aircraft types, there was an inconsistency with the way passengers are charged for their carry-on luggage as “certain airlines look to charge for everything and others don’t”.

Ireland’s Socialist Party MEP, Paul Murphy, claimed that rules on hand luggage were not enforced by airlines in the interest of passenger comfort or safety but as a means of increasing profits.

While the Commissioner accepted that restrictions varied greatly he said that this was a reflection of diversity in the market and he was not in favour of regulation.

So what do you think? Should the European Commission introduce common rules for airlines on hand luggage allowance?