91997E4015

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4015/97 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Misleading advertising by airlines

The United Kingdom Advertising Standards Authority has recently ruled that airlines and travel agents must advertise the true cost to the traveller of all flights, including airport and other taxes, seasonal premiums and all extraneous costs. Is the Commission aware of the situation in other Member States, and would it consider proposing a directive generalizing what will, from 1 January 1998, be the practice in Britain?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (26 February 1998)

The Commission was pleased to learn of the United Kingdom initiative on improved information to airline passengers relating to the true costs of all flights. The Commission has not been informed of any similar initiatives in other Member States.

However, the Commission has launched a comprehensive study to assess the conditions included in air transport contracts from the perspective of consumers. The issue of the best means of giving passengers adequate notice of required information (including prices) relevant to the decision about whether to enter into the contract is amongst the matters being addressed and is now the subject of industry-wide consultation. The Commission will consider whether new initiatives are necessary in the light of the study and the consultation process.