FLIGHT PRICING MUST BE FAIR SAYS BOWLES

3.53.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Jul 2007

As holiday makers start to make their way to airports and ferry terminals across the UK, MEPs in the European Parliament in Strasbourg have today voted to make the cost of holidays clearer.

Despite previous EU legislation, the UK's Consumer Protection Act and warnings from the Office of Fair Trading, many airlines continue to advertise misleading prices that don't reflect the final cost of plane tickets. Many tour operators add as much as £30 to a short haul plane ticket - but that cost is hidden from the advertised ticket cost.

Speaking from the Strasbourg Parliament, Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East, said:

"Many customers are still confused and cheated by unclear pricing structures, with tax and supplements often more than doubling the list price. Tougher rules obliging airlines to provide inclusive prices in advertising from the start of the booking procedure is surely good news for all passengers."

"These proposals are good for the consumer and the industry as a whole, also strengthening the safety obligations for airlines and the authorities that issue them with licences."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The practice of airlines separating all kinds of charges from the price you initially see has become widespread.

Many tour operators add £30 to advertised prices for a short-haul trip and £65 for long-haul, justifying the supplement by the increased cost of fuel, although the price of oil has been at its current level for two years.

This revision of EU legislation ensures that any supplements must be included in the advertised price of a ticket.