The government says charging for hand luggage and printing boarding passes at the airport are "abusive practices".

Spain’s Consumer Rights ministry demanded that the five low-cost airlines stop charging additional baggage fees.

Ryanair and easyJet are among a number of budget airlines fined almost £150 million for ‘abusive practices’ including charging for carry-on bags. Spain’s consumer rights ministry said the airlines violated customers’ rights by forcing them to pay for carry-on luggage,

O'Leary called the fine by Spain's consumer rights ministry "unlawful and baseless" after an appeal was rejected.

Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry has fined budget airlines Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for cabin luggage,

Spain has slapped fines on five budget airlines for charging passengers for hand luggage and seat reservations. The fine amounts to a total of £150 million. Ryanair will have to pay the lion's share of the fine (£89.7m), which was described as "baseless" by the company's boss Michael O'Leary.

FIVE airlines including Ryanair and Easyjet have been fined a whopping total of €179 million for abusive practices. The penalty has been confirmed by

Ryanair, EasyJet and other low-cost carriers shouldn't charge high prices for services like printing boarding passes at the airport or sitting next to a minor child, the Spanish government said.

Spain's consumer rights ministry has fined budget airlines including Ryanair and Vueling a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for larger cabin bags, it said on Friday.

Spain’s ministry of consumer affairs has fined several European airlines for “abusive practices” against passengers that included charging extra fees for hand luggage, and for adjacent seats to accompany dependent travelers.