Airlines bow to Brussels ticket sale pressure

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Series Details 14.5.09
Publication Date 14/05/2009
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New EU results published on the 14 May 2009 show a 'step change' in airline ticket selling websites across Europe in terms of compliance with consumer protection rules. The findings feature in a final report on an 18 month EU-wide process to crackdown on misleading advertising and unfair practices. As a result of an EU enforcement investigation started in September 2007 – with 15 EU national authorities and Norway - 115 airline websites out of the 137 websites investigated have been corrected. Following an additional 'health check' process involving independent mystery shopping in March 2009 on 67 major airlines, 52 airlines have either been given a 'clean bill of health' and undertaken to maintain the same standards or immediately responded to the Commission's consultation with undertakings to remedy outstanding issues.

The health check process checked websites against a comprehensive 14 point checklist, which was previously agreed with the airline industry. The Commission is now working to put in place an industry wide agreement to provide a level playing field for airlines across the EU and to maintain sites to a high standard.

Related Links
European Commission: Press Release: IP/09/783: Consumers: Airlines move to clean up ticket selling websites http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/783&format=DOC&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Protection: Consumer Affairs: Strategy and programmes: Airline Sweep http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/enforcement/sweep/index_en.htm
EurActiv, 15.5.09: Commission urges end to air ticket price 'rip-offs' http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/commission-urges-air-ticket-price-rip-offs/article-182387

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