Action on ticket shopping barriers set for take-off

By Karen Carstens

Date: 29/04/04

THE European Commission could soon clamp down on airlines for practices that prevent EU consumers from making cross-border ticket purchases from national carriers.

Barriers to smooth ticket shopping contravene the EU's fundamental "free movement" of persons principle, several MEPs and citizens have told the Commission.

"Is the Commission aware that it is often impossible to book a ticket in one EU member state for a journey that originates in a country other than where the tickets are booked?" UK MEP Michael Cashman recently asked in a written question.

"For example, Air France will not allow a citizen to book a ticket for a journey from Strasbourg to London and for the ticket to be delivered to the UK. The ticket can only be delivered to an address in France," he wrote.

"If the Commission finds that there is a breach [of the principle of free movement] can it outline what is being done to combat this and to ensure that such discriminatory practice does not continue?" Cashman asked.

The Commission says that it sent letters to a total of 18 European airlines in late 2003 "asking them for clarification".

But an official from the transport directorate-general said the Commission still has not received all of the answers from the airlines.

He confirmed that an investigation is under way, with an analysis due before the summer break.

The European Commission may investigate barriers to smooth airline ticket shopping. At present it is often difficult to book a ticket in one Member State for a journey that originates in a country other than where the tickets are booked.