News: EU to get tough over misleading flight prices

Flights > News > # 1982 (26/11/2008)

The European Union's consumer chief gave some of Europe's top airlines a final warning today to stop misleading consumers or face possible fines and having their websites shut down.
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva will give airlines who mislead or rip off customers until the end of the year "to clean up their act" or she will begin legal proceedings in January, a European Commission official said.
"She has run out of patience and will tell the airlines that this is the last chance saloon for them," the official said.
A probe by the EU's executive in May found that one in three European consumers were being misled or ripped off by websites selling airline tickets including many run by leading airlines across the 27-member bloc.
But Kuneva is angry that despite repeated warnings since then, many airlines still breach EU rules with unfair pricing, hidden charges, and terms and conditions not translated properly.
"Airlines are continuing to advertise free flights that are not free at all and are forcing people to take unwanted insurance and baggage charges because they don't realise they need to unclick the option on the website," the official said.
Online booking is critical for the EU airline travel industry, which Commission figures show caters to over 700 million passengers per year.
Kuneva will issue her warning at a meeting on Tuesday with the Association of European Airlines, representing major airlines such as British Airways and Scandinavian Airlines.
She will also on Tuesday outline her intentions when she meets members of the European Low Fares Airline Association which includes Ryanair, easyJet and Clickair.
"She will firstly order member states to start court action against offenders, but if necessary she will take out injunctions against the airlines herself which can lead to fines or the closure of their websites," the official said.
The official added that Brussels will carry out "mystery customer" surveys over the coming weeks to determine which airlines are still breaking the law.