Spain has fined Ryan Air and four other budget airlines a total of  €179m (£149m) for “abusive practices” including charging for hand luggage.

Ryanair has been given the largest fine of €108m (£90m), followed by EasyJet’s penalty of €29m (£24m).

Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea were issued with sanctions by Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry on Friday. The ministry also said it  plans to ban practices such as charging extra for carry-on hand luggage and reserving seats for children. The fines are the biggest sanction issued by the ministry, and follow an investigation into the budget airline industry.

Vueling, the budget arm of British Airways owner IAG has been fined €39m (£32m), while Norwegian Airlines and Volotea have been fined €1.6m (£1.3m) and €1.2m (£1m) respectively.

Each fine was calculated based on the “illicit profit” obtained by each airline from these practices.

The Spanish airline industry association ALA plans a further appeal and has called the ministry’s decision “nonsense” arguing the fine infringes EU free market rules. But Andres Barragan, secretary general for consumer affairs and gambling at the ministry defended the fines saying the government’s decision was based on Spanish and EU Law. “It is an abuse to charge £20 for just printing the boarding card in the airport. It’s something no one wants. This is problem consumers are facing not only Spain but in other EU coutnries”.

Consumer rights association Facua which has campaigned against fees for six years said the decision was historic.