CAA to investigate ‘unfair’ airline charges…
Airline charges and hidden fees will come under scrutiny under a Civil Aviation Authority review which is expected to begin this summer.
The terms and conditions of airlines relating to fees such as charges for checking in at the airport; re-issuing of boarding passes; or making changes to names will all be looked at and the CAA could take action against airlines that have not followed the Consumer Rights Act, according to reports.
Aviation minister Robert Goodwill said: "The Government and the CAA continue to emphasise to the airlines the importance of compliance with ticket transparency obligations, ensuring that terms and conditions – including any administration fees and charges – are clear to passengers when they choose between airlines.
"To enhance consumer protection in this area, the CAA will start work on unfair contract terms with the airlines this summer, in accordance with the CAA’s Strategic Plan 2016-2021.
"The work will include a review of the airlines’ terms and conditions with the aim of ensuring the rights and obligations of the consumers and businesses are fair and balanced and consumers are not being penalised by unfair contract terms."
A CAA spokesman said the investigation is ‘about making sure airlines are open and clear so that people understand what they are actually paying for’.
He added: "You’ve got the headline price of the ticket, but are there any additional things that people have to be aware of that they will have to pay for?"
Legal website CaseHub is currently preparing a case against Ryanair, claiming charges to check in at the airport, re-issue boarding passes and name-fee changes are unlawful, a claim that is refuted by Ryanair.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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