EU Acts to Make Airline Charges Clearer

9.24.38am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 26th Jul 2006

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has welcomed a decision by the EU to crack down on the hidden charges and costs currently faced by thousands of travellers every day when flying out of the region's airports.

The European Commission yesterday approved a draft regulation for increasing the transparency of airline tickets. It is intended that in future ticket prices should show all taxes and added costs such as airport charges and fuel surcharges, that currently catch out many passengers when booking their tickets.

The Commission also intends to take up the issue of price variation for the same flight based on place of residence of the passenger, with a view to eliminating abuses and distortions of competition that many airlines are currently practising.

Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands Liz Lynne commented:

"The Commission has finally acted to tackle the problem of unclear airline tariffs. Too many unfair practices by airlines have been tolerated for far too long. I welcome this move to improve transparency that will be of clear benefit to the passenger in their choice of company.

"It is necessary to go one step further though and specify exactly what extra costs are involved in taking a plane. What percentage of the additional costs of security measures should be passed onto the passenger, absorbed by the company or paid for by the State?"

"Once again the EU has taken action on behalf of the consumer and these new transparency regulations, once approved, will be just the ticket!"

Notes

1. The draft EU Regulation will be voted under the codecision procedure involving both Council and Parliament and should enter into force in approximately one year's time.