"EU: Air fares must show all taxes, surcharges"

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

EU: Air fares must show all taxes, surcharges
The Associated Press


BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Air fares would have to include all taxes and
additional charges when advertised in any of the European Union's 27
countries, under new rules backed by EU lawmakers Tuesday.

Even when booking on the Internet, customers would have to be given
comprehensive information showing a breakdown of all airport fees, fuel 
or security surcharges and other additional payments, according to the
guidelines backed by the European Parliament's transport committee.

They rules already have been approved by EU governments but still need
backing by the entire 785-seat EU assembly, which will vote in July.

The EU has warned that up to a third of the people who shop for flights on
airline and other travel Web sites in the EU are being cheated by misleading
ads and price schemes.

The main problems on the sites are misleading pricing and vague conditions
and contract terms, an EU investigation showed last month. Airlines and
other travel companies often add airport taxes, handling fees, baggage and
seating charges and a variety of other costs on top of the prices that first
appear on Web sites.

About 700 million travelers fly on EU airlines each year and the sector
draws more consumer complaints than any other.

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