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Date Published: 27/08/2024

Low-cost airlines are the biggest gripe for Costa Blanca visitors

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More than half of all complaints made by Alicante holidaymakers are against one airline

Low-cost airlines are the biggest gripe for Costa Blanca visitors

Low-cost airlines have revolutionised travel, opening up to world to even those on a shoestring budget. But to keep costs down, carriers offer a fairly basic service, tacking on extra charges for everything from carry-on luggage to seat selection.

These sneaky additions add up, and are one of the reasons why the low-cost airlines themselves are now the biggest bug-bear of travellers using Alicante Elche Airport.

And there are no prizes for guessing who the main culprit is. That’s right, everyone’s favourite budget Irish carrier Ryanair accounts for more than half of all official complaints made at the Costa Blanca terminal.

Now read: EU reintroduces 100ml liquid rule at Spanish airports

According to new data, the customer service desk at Alicante Airport handled 41 complaints between the beginning of January and August 11 this year. Of these, 22 people had gripes with Ryanair, 6 complaints each were directed at Aena and Iberia, while Vueling was formally criticised by 4 passengers.

The rest of this list of shame is made up by Norwegian, Volotea and Menzies Aviation, with only one file each.

The reasons for these complaints vary widely, but some of the most common faults are found with luggage handling, quality of service, charges for second suitcases and hand luggage or payments for seat selection. Of course, many, many more passengers have issues with flight delays and cancellations, but these are handled by a different department.

However, Alicante-Elche airport is not the only one where low-cost airlines concentrate the bulk of complaints. In Valencia (where 103 cases have been opened in the same period), Ryanair is also at the top of the list, with 40; followed by Vueling (13); and Volotea, with 8 complaints.

In Castellón, which has only received 5 complaints this year, they are divided between Vueling (3) and Ryanair (2).

Also of interest: Flying to and from Spain with excess baggage: Everything you need to know, airline by airline

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