Airlines targeted over misleading fare ads
Airlines are to be banned from advertising cheap fares and then slugging consumers with additional fees and charges buried in the fine print, the federal government says.
Labor today moved to prohibit any component pricing which leads to consumers making purchases without knowing the full price of a product.
Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Bowen says it is “fundamental” that the total price be provided “at least as prominently” as any component price.
“This government believes the total the consumer will pay must be prominently stated, not just lost somewhere in the footnote … or buried in the fine print,” the consumer affairs minister told parliament.
The Trade Practices Act presently states that when a business advertises the price of part of a product it must also state the “cash price”.
But the courts have ruled that doesn’t require the total cost to be disclosed.
Mr Bowen says legislation introduced to parliament today will make it clear businesses must “state the total price as a single figure” when that price is quantifiable.
The advertising of cheap airfares was the best known form of misleading component pricing, the minister said.
“It is not appropriate that additional compulsory fees and charges are disclosed in fine print disclaimers, particularly when those additional compulsory charges may be significantly larger than the component price that is highlighted.”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission received 430 complaints over confusing component pricing last year and Mr Bowen says many other consumers were likely misled, but did not complain to a regulator.
The changes will apply to print, television and radio advertisements.
AAP
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026