Cottbus Court Rules Against Ryanair Check-In Charges
The Regional Court of Cottbus has issued a decision criticizing Ryanair's practice of charging passengers €55 at the airport check-in counter if they have not checked in online before departure. The court found that such charges impose an unreasonable disadvantage on consumers by eliminating reasonable choice at the time of travel. The case originated from a family of five who arrived late for online check-in, forcing them to pay the fee at the counter, which they successfully disputed.
This ruling emphasizes that basic services like issuing boarding passes are part of the core transportation obligation and should not be subject to additional fees if passengers are given a genuine choice between free and paid options. The court observed that Ryanair had not provided sufficient evidence for operational necessity in closing the online check-in portal two hours prior to departure. Additionally, the ruling referenced previous decisions, including one from Austria, supporting consumer rights against unreasonable charges in airline policies.
The decision is expected to influence low-cost airlines' tariff structures, ensuring that free and functioning online check-in options are maintained until the last minute before flights. Ultimately, airlines will need to adapt their check-in policies to prevent future legal disputes and refund claims, safeguarding passenger rights according to German civil law.
