Airlines will not be allowed to charge passengers any additional fees for carrying hand luggage on board.

European Union lawmakers have voted to adopt a proposal that will allow air passengers to bring a personal item into the cabin and a piece of hand luggage of up to seven kilogrammes free of charge.

“Today's vote marks an important step toward fairer and more transparent travel,” Matteo Ricci, vice-president of the EU Committee on Transport and Tourism and the bill's lead sponsor, said in a press release.

He added that clearly defined rules for free hand luggage were “a fundamental right to avoid unjustified extra costs”, ensuring a “fairer and more efficient system”.

The measure comes in addition to wider reforms proposed by the European Commission in 2023 on passenger rights. It would require airlines to disclose total flight costs earlier in the booking process and affect compensation rights. (Euronews)