The Vueling case: Why was it fined €90,000 for failing to comply with web accessibility?
Web accessibility is not just an ethical issue, but a legal obligation. This was recently reminded by the National Court, which confirmed a €90,000 fine to the airline Vueling for not complying with current digital accessibility regulations.
What exactly happened?
Vueling Airlines, S.A. was sanctioned by the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030 after detecting significant accessibility deficiencies on its official website.
📅 The resolution, dated October 9, 2020, was ratified in 2024 by the National Court, which dismissed the appeal filed by the airline.
What was the reason for the sanction?
The legal basis is Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, which in its article 95.3.e) classifies as a serious infraction:
“El incumplimiento […] de las normas sobre accesibilidad de los entornos, instrumentos, equipos y tecnologías, […] que obstaculice o limite su acceso o utilización regulares por las personas con discapacidad.”
En este caso, se comprobó que la web de Vueling no cumplía con los estándares exigidos, afectando directamente a la experiencia de personas con discapacidad.
¿Qué estándar se exige en España?
Las empresas que prestan servicios al público general deben cumplir, como mínimo, con el nivel AA de accesibilidad web, tal y como establece:
- 📜 Ley 34/2002 de Servicios de la Sociedad de la Información (LSSI)
- 🏷 Norma UNE 139803:2012, que adapta las pautas WCAG 2.0 al contexto español
- 🏛 Real Decreto 1494/2007, que fija las condiciones básicas de accesibilidad digital
📊 El informe técnico: solo el 10% de cumplimiento
The report prepared by CENTAC (National Center for Accessibility Technologies) revealed a very low degree of compliance:
✅ 4 out of 38 criteria (10.53%) were fully met ❌ 26 criteria (68.42%) were not met ⚪ 8 did not apply
🔍 Among the most frequent violations
- 🖼 Images without alternative text
- 📝 Forms without accessible labels
- ⌨️ Lack of keyboard navigation
- 🎨 Insufficient color contrasts
- 🎥 Videos without subtitles
- 🏗 Incorrect heading structure
- ⚠️ Dynamic elements not labeled
- 📄 Multimedia content without textual alternatives
💰 What sanction did Vueling receive?
- 💵 Fine of €90,000
- 🚫 Prohibition from applying for public subsidies for 6 months
📌 The resolution also took into account that Vueling was already warned in 2016, and instead of improving, the degree of compliance remained very low years later.
What did Vueling allege in its defense?
The company tried to invalidate the sanction by alleging:
- ❓ Lack of regulatory clarity (use of a "subsequent" standard like UNE 2012)
- ⚖️ Excessive proportionality in the fine
- 🤝 That there was no intentionality, but good faith
📌 However, the National Court dismissed all arguments, emphasizing that accessibility is not optional, and that standards are clearly and legally defined.
🏢 What does this mean for companies?
Web accessibility is mandatory for all companies that offer services to the general public and have economic relevance, such as: ✈️ airlines | 🏦 banks | 📱 telecommunications | 🛡 insurance
⚠️ Failing to comply can result in fines of up to €1 million, especially if recidivism is detected or many users are affected.
✅ How to avoid web accessibility sanctions?
If you have a corporate website or digital services platform, these are the minimum recommended steps:
- 🔍 Accessibility audit by specialized professionals
- 🛠 Technical correction of all detected errors
- 🎓 Continuous training for development and content teams
🏢 ¿Qué implica esto para las empresas?
La accesibilidad web es obligatoria para todas las empresas que ofrecen servicios al público en general y tienen relevancia económica, como: ✈️ aerolíneas | 🏦 bancos | 📱 telecomunicaciones | 🛡 seguros
⚠️ No cumplirla puede conllevar sanciones de hasta 1 millón de euros, especialmente si se detecta reincidencia o se afectan a muchos usuarios.
✅ ¿Cómo evitar sanciones por accesibilidad web?
Si tienes una web corporativa o una plataforma de servicios digitales, estos son los pasos mínimos recomendables:
- 🔍 Auditoría de accesibilidad por profesionales especializados
- 🛠 Corrección técnica de todos los errores detectados
- 🎓 Formación continua del equipo de desarrollo y contenido
- 🔄 Mantenimiento periódico para cumplir con actualizaciones normativas
Conclusión
El caso Vueling marca un antes y un después. Es una señal clara de que la accesibilidad digital ha dejado de ser un “plus” para convertirse en una exigencia legal.
🌍 En una sociedad cada vez más digital, no podemos permitirnos dejar fuera a millones de personas. Ni moralmente, ni legalmente.
🚀 Haz tu web accesible hoy con Inclusif
Avoid sanctions, improve your users' experience and comply with current regulations. At Inclusif we help you to:
✅ Audit your website with automated analysis and manual reviews ✅ Correct accessibility errors without complications ✅ Train your team to maintain accessibility over time ✅ Show your commitment to digital inclusion
📌 Comply with UNE 139803:2012 and WCAG 2.2.
Remember: Accessibility is not optional, it's an investment in your brand and your customers.
👉 What's the next step? Try Inclusif on your website and discover how easy it is to create a digital space without barriers. Make your website accessible now. Source: https://www.poderjudicial.es/cgpj/es/Poder-Judicial/Audiencia-Nacional/Oficina-de-Comunicacion/Notas-de-prensa/La-Audiencia-Nacional-confirma-la-multa-de-90-000-euros-a-Vueling-por-incumplir-en-su-web-las-condiciones-de-accesibilidad-para-personas-con-discapacidad https://administracionelectronica.gob.es/PAe/accesibilidad/UNE139803=2012.pdf