The Consumers Association of Ireland has described as 'scandalous' a decision by airlines to increase the cost to passengers of baggage charges.
Chairman Michael Kilcoyne said the extra cost was one further example of the way in which the travelling public was being ripped off.
He said the increases were huge when one considered the annual rate of increase in inflation was running at 5%.
The Irish Examiner reported this morning that over the weekend, Aer Lingus has imposed a 25% hike in its online baggage charge to €5 while BMIbaby has imposed a 24% rise. Ryanair also increased its baggage charges from March 1 - from €4.50 to €6 online and from €10 to €12 at the airport.
Mr Kilcoyne complained that no announcement was made and there had been no consultation with any consumer groups. Ryanair said it had announced the change in February.
Meanwhile, regional airline Aer Arann said today it has no plans to introduce baggage charges on its domestic or international routes.
