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Airline websites forced to clean up

Over 100 airlines fix misleading bits

A European Commission investigation into airline websites has resulted in 115 out of 137 sites making changes so they are less confusing for punters.

Tricks like adding extra costs on at the last stages of a transaction, not revealing availability of the best fares and not showing fair contract terms have all been stopped.

Meglena Kuneva, Consumer Commissioner, said: "There is no room for complacency - there is more work to be done. But this first pan European enforcement investigation has shown it has real 'teeth' and can deliver. The next step is an industry-wide agreement."

A mystery shopper test carried out last month on 67 websites found 52 either had a clean bill of health or immediately responded to EC concerns.

Easyjet and Ryanair were among 36 sites promising to do better in future. Virgin Atlantic, bmi, Iberia and SAS were among the 16 which passed with flying colours.

National enforcement bodies have been informed of the EC's findings. The Commission is working on industry-wide agreements on standards, and next month it will issue a "communication on enforcement" to support the work of national regulators.

The Commission release is here. ®

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