Three airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, have defended their baggage charges after increasing their fees.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has criticised the move, accusing the airlines of extracting money from the public without them knowing it.
Aer Lingus has increased charges by 25%, Ryanair by a third and budget airline, bmibaby, also increased its charges by 24%.
The CAI has described the increases as 'scandalous'.
But today the airlines defended themselves. Ryanair said that the increased charges were announced several weeks ago, insisting that the charges came in place on 1 March and not at the weekend.
This afternoon Aer Lingus insisted that its checked baggage charges are still amongst the lowest in the short-haul low-cost airline market.
Since the initial introduction of the charges in January the airline says it has not received any negative feedback from customers.
45% of Ryanair passengers who currently opt to travel without checked-in baggage pay no fees, according to the airline.
Bmibaby has said the charge is part of the airline's long-term commitment to keeping fares low.
