Hidden charges should be removed from airline ads

Issued : Tuesday 9 March, 2010

Speaking on the revision of the EU's package travel directive, Alan Kelly MEP called for the Commission to end the practice of hidden charges when booking flights.

Alan Kelly said: "We are all aware that the advertising prices for flights do not always include taxes and charges.

"Companies such as Ryanair are serial exploiters of adding extra charges - charging to check in online, charging to check in at the airport, charging for an extra piece of hand luggage, charging for everything and anything.

"This is a practice that I know most consumers are growing weary and tired of.

"Revising the EU's package travel directive provides the perfect opportunity to compel better transparency from air line companies.

"We must move it for the benefit of the consumers so that real clear choice is possible and everybody knows exactly what they are buying.

"All you ask is that the basic principals of customer care are enshrined in EU law.

"I know for example that it can be very difficult to find the complaints departments on many airlines.

"How are you supposed to find re-dress to your claim if you cannot find the right person to contact?

"The EU's package travel directive is over twenty years old and given the amount of passengers who were stranded due to airline and travel agent insolvency this summer, it is in serious need of updating."