Airline bill guarantees price transparency - MEP Watson

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

The European Parliament will endorse tomorrow a Liberal Democrat bill imposing strict price transparency rules on airline companies. Taxes, additional charges such as fuel supplements and actual ticket costs will have to be clearly indicated whether the ticket is purchased online or through an agent.

Commenting, local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson who is the European Liberal Democrat Leader, said:

"Tomorrow's vote will make sure that as early as December, passengers will be able to see how much their air trip will cost them before rather than after purchasing a ticket. No longer will people be tricked by flashy rates which later prove to be only a fraction of the actual cost. The bill which we saw through the House guarantees price transparency and the consumers' right to information."

The new bill will also defend passengers in case of airline bankruptcy by allowing close oversight of companies' financial situation.

"With rising oil prices weakening aviation sector's outlook, it is important that EU governments and the European Commission can act before it's too late. By allowing intervention once companies veer close to bankruptcy, we can prevent people being stranded away from home or buying tickets which later become void", added Graham Watson.