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Office of Fair Trading gives Ryanair time to comply on pricing – 09 Aug 2007

Ryanair and Irish rival Aer Lingus have been given extra time to comply with Office of Fair Trading instructions to include all fixed, non-optional charges in prices.


The OFT said technical issues prevented the Irish carriers from changing their booking processes immediately, but in a statement said: “These airlines will be making these changes shortly.”


However, Ryanair told Travel Weekly last week it would not be able to comply with the OFT’s requirements until next year.


The OFT warned airlines and other travel companies in February that it would crack down on any failure to show all taxes and charges in online prices. Adding a series of charges at the point of booking has become common practice after being pioneered by the low-cost carriers.


ABTA agreed to police its members and has handed out fines of up to £5,000 to companies failing to comply.


The OFT said easyJet, bmibaby, Flybe, Thomsonfly, Flythomascook, Monarch, Jet2, Globespan, Wizz Air, SkyEurope Airlines and Germanwings have changed their websites to meet the regulations.


The National Consumer Agency recently established by the Irish government has agreed to work with the OFT to ensure compliance by Ryanair and Aer Lingus.


 


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