UK takes action to protect consumers from misleading airfares
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Posted on: August 13th, 2007 by Martin Fellowes
It is not uncommon for travelers to find discount European airlines advertising airfares for as low as £1.00, or even for “free,” only to realize that taxes, booking and petrol surcharges radically increase the price of the ticket. This form of airfare marketing has frustrated many, as it wastes the time of consumers who take the trouble to complete online booking forms on airline website only to find out that the final price is nowhere near as impressive as they originally were led to believe it would be. The
United Kingdom, however, is now stepping in to remedy this situation and protect consumers.
The British Office of Fair Trading has now informed all major discount carriers, such as easyJet, Ryanair, Aer Lingus and BMI, that they will have to calculate all taxes and surcharges into the originally advertised price of a ticket. This way, the consumer will know right away precisely what they will pay for the complete cost of a ticket.
The various airlines affected by this change reacted in differing manners. A spokesperson for easyJet asserted that the discount carrier was pleased with the change and will comply, now that all other airlines will be forced to do so as well. Aer Lingus, on the other hand, will only complete the change-over in late September and has decided to only include taxes and surcharges in the originally advertised price for routes within the United Kingdom and
Ireland. As such, passengers flying to North America and
Europe should still expect the initially quoted price to increase significantly once all taxes are added.
Ryanair is also working on revamping its site and online booking process, but has suggested that this will take some time. In the interim, however, the no-frills carrier will place a disclaimer on its website which informs potential passengers of the approximate cost of the various taxes and surcharges.
www.ryanair.com
carguru
Misleading airfares are a major problem for air travelers. I have been through it. You see the airfare advertised as only a few pounds but it adds up to much more when you go to purchase it. I am glad something is being done about it.
carmad
I am glad all the discount carriers have been informed to factor in taxes and other surcharges into the originally advertised price of the ticket. This was a move long waited for.