‘Add-on’ charges levied on customers by low cost airlines could face a ban across Europe after the commission was urged to look into the issue by a British Labour Euro MP.
According to reports today, the move comes after Brian Simpson, MEP, who sits on the European Commission transport committee, wrote to commission vice-president and transport chief Siim Kallas.
Simpson complained about the widespread practices of adding credit and debit card charges and additional fees for choosing a seat, baggage and checking in.
Ryanair recently added a €2 fee to cover it for payouts it might have to make for delays and cancellations prompted the complaint.
It was claimed Ryanair will make £150 million from this, almost double the amount it had to pay out for last year’s Icelandic ash cloud crisis.
Simpson said flyers were being ripped off by these additional charges which airlines were making millions in additional income from.
Kallas is leading a review of air passenger rights in Europe which reports said could see the aviation industry subject to the same kind of rules that package holiday firms must adhere to.
Simpson told the Mirror: “Passengers are being ripped off by a seemingly endless list of charges that airlines add to the prices they advertise. When you are booking a flight, the price that you see at the beginning of your search should be the same price that you actually pay at the end.”
Ryanair said the new €2 charge was included in its advertised fares.