A Fine Gael MEP has proposed a ban on airlines charging parents extra to sit next to their children.
Regina Doherty, a member of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, is currently part of a review of passenger rights legislation and believes such a change would be of huge benefit to families.
On Lunchtime Live, the Dublin MEP said Irish airlines typically do not charge parents to sit next to their young children - but other European airlines do.
“Our own Ryanair at home, is really, really good for not doing that,” she said.
“They do it voluntarily but there’s no rules across the EU governing all of our airlines and lots of them do charge.
“Lots of them charge you €12 to sit your Johnny or your Mary sitting beside you each.
“You shouldn’t ever be charging people to [put] their children with their adults together… Families should be allowed to sit together [and it should be] included in the price, it shouldn’t be an add on.”
Regina Doherty MEP. Picture by: Gareth Chaney/ Collins PhotosMs Doherty described it as an “abhorrent” practice and said legislation would end it once and for all.
“Voluntary policies I don’t think are enough,” she said.
“We need clear binding legislation so that parents aren’t forced, regardless of the airline.
“I could rhyme off 10 that do charge and that do take advantage of it in a cost of living crisis that most Europeans are feeling.
“But also, safeguarding our children and supporting families; I don’t think it’s tenable for airlines to be able to make money off the back of charging parents to have their children sitting beside them.”
Ms Doherty added that she was hopeful a ban would command broad support from her MEP colleagues.
“I haven’t got anybody saying, ‘No, no, no,’” she said.
“I think airlines that are already doing it might welcome the fact that they’re being recognised for doing it because it is the right thing to do.”
Main image: A family sit together onboard an aeroplane. Picture by: Alamy.com.
