Probe call into 'inflated' airline ticket charges

MEPs today called for an investigation into the airline industry following claims carriers were inflating charges added to ticket prices.

Meanwhile, budget airline Ryanair has hit back at allegations made in a German television programme that it has been mis-stating tax and airport charges.

Gary Titley, leader of Britain’s Labour MEP’s and a member of the European Parliament’s transport committee, said it was not just Ryanair that could be accused of inflating charges.

“Airlines inflate their prices with extra charges so that customers expect to buy a flight for £1.99 and instead end up spending £55,” he said.

“To make the whole industry more transparent any investigation should look at hidden charges by every airline not just Ryanair.”

Eva Lichtenberger, an Austrian MEP also on the transport committee, is understood to be asking for a European Commission inquiry following the claims made by the television programme.

A spokeswoman for Ryanair said the allegations were untrue.

“No Ryanair passenger has ever been ‘over-charged’,” she said.

“Before any passenger is allowed to confirm and pay for a booking on Ryanair, they are presented with a breakdown of their total fare including taxes, fees and charges and are asked to confirm their agreement to this total amount before they are allowed to proceed with their booking.

“Every passenger agrees to these sums as part of the booking process.”

A spokesman for the European Commission said: “I am not aware of any complaint.”