Balearic authorities call meeting with Ryanair in pastry carry-on

An ensaïmada. The Balearics tourism minister said the meeting was called ‘in order to defend local produce and avoid any kind of discrimination’. Photograph: Gary Stevens/Alamy

The government of the Balearic Islands has called an urgent meeting with Ryanair and the local pastry-makers’ association after the airline tried to charge passengers to bring cakes onboard, claiming it exceeded their cabin baggage limit.

The row erupted after two passengers at Palma de Mallorca airport tried to each carry an ensaïmada, a traditional Mallorcan pastry, along with their hand baggage. The airline demanded an additional €45 (£39) each to bring the pastries onboard, at which point the passengers abandoned them rather than paying.