the New fare without hand luggage The National Consumer Secretariat (implemented by the country’s airlines) noted that prices are higher for Brazilians.Sinako), from Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), in an analysis released on Monday (1).
The topic is controversial and has led to a movement in Congress after goal Start selling tickets without included hand luggage on an international flight this year. the Latam This type of international ticket has already been offered since last year. This practice is common in international aviation, especially on low-cost airlines.
According to Senacon, although this type of fare officially complies with Resolution No. 400/2016 of the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anak), which guarantees the right to free carriage of up to 10 kg in hand luggage, Senacon warns that this practice may violate the principles of Consumer Protection Law (Center for Disease Control), especially with regard to balancing relations with consumers, transparency, and protecting the most vulnerable consumers.
According to analysis Consumer Protection and Defense Department (DPDC), the new model tends to deepen inequality. This is because consumers with greater purchasing power – especially frequent flyers and corporate passengers who travel with less luggage – will benefit from promotional fares. actually Casual consumers, who rely on transporting personal items or traveling with their families, may be subject to a double penalty: through fees on checked bags and restrictions on carry-on bags.
Convincing price increase
Senacon also draws attention to the risk of a disguised increase in prices, if the removal of hand luggage is not accompanied by a proportionate reduction in the value of the ticket.
“In this scenario, the passenger would pay the same amount for a discounted service, a situation that could characterize an abusive practice or an unfair trade method, the CDC predicted. The technical note compares this phenomenon to ‘discounting,’ when products maintain their price, but with a reduction in volume or quantity, requiring transparency alerts to the consumer.” National Consumer Secretary, Paulo Henrique Pereira.
Airlines argue that there is no such thing as free hand luggage and that ticket prices already include the cost the airline has to carry, even when the passenger is not using it.
However, the Technical Note notes that the debate on hand luggage should not be mixed with other topics under general discussion, such as free seat selection or “no-show” rules. Each issue has specific consumer implications and must be analyzed separately to ensure regulatory coherence and legal certainty.