Its the arbitrary nature of fines which seems to be the issue where someone can just impose one without due process or ever going near a court room.
If the same standards are not being applied to all airlines and there is no right to be even heard then there is a fair case.
Of course cancelling thousands of flights when economy is in doldrums with 20% unemployment just as summer season starts can be very effective.
Wonder how much Iberia have been fined in last 5 years......