Spain's leftist government said Friday it has fined five budget airlines including Ryanair and EasyJet 179 million euros ($187 million) for "abusive practices" such as charging passengers for hand luggage.

The government says charging for hand luggage and printing boarding passes at the airport are "abusive practices".

Spain’s Consumer Rights ministry demanded that the five low-cost airlines stop charging additional baggage fees.

Spain has fined five budget airlines, including Ryanair, a total of €179m for charging passengers for hand luggage and seat reservations, prompting the Irish carrier to say banning the practices would “destroy” the ability to offer cheap tickets.

Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry has fined budget airlines Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Norwegian and Volotea a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for cabin luggage,

Spain has slapped fines on five budget airlines for charging passengers for hand luggage and seat reservations. The fine amounts to a total of £150 million. Ryanair will have to pay the lion's share of the fine (£89.7m), which was described as "baseless" by the company's boss Michael O'Leary.

Spain's government said Friday five low-cost airlines have been fined $186.32 million for what Minister of Social Rights Pablo Bustinduy said were abusive practices like charging more for hand luggage or reserving seats.

Spain's consumer rights ministry has fined budget airlines including Ryanair and Vueling a combined 179 million euros ($187 million) for practices such as charging for larger cabin bags, it said on Friday.

Spain’s ministry of consumer affairs has fined several European airlines for “abusive practices” against passengers that included charging extra fees for hand luggage, and for adjacent seats to accompany dependent travelers.