Budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet could be banned from hidden add-on charges

Add to My Stories Share We've all experienced it, you see a bargain flight on a budget airline's website, but by the time you actually come to pay for it, the price has risen thanks to a series of 'add-ons'.But the last-minute additions for the supposed 'luxury' of taking luggage, paying with a debit or credit card and checking in could soon be a thing of the past if a Europe-wide ban is brought in. Labour MEP Brian Simpson has urged the European Commission transport chief Siim Kallas to consider a ruling which would force airlines to offer one single, correct price for flights on their website.

Rip off? Low-priced and even free flights, advertised here by Michael O'Leary, could be a thing of the past if an EU ruling is made banning rip-off charges The new rule would combat levies made by airlines, such as Ryanair's 1.75 charge on all flights which is set to earn it 150m extra a year.The justification for the levy is to pay compensation for delays and cancellations.

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Mr Simpson, chairman of the European Parliament Transport Committee, said: 'Flyers are being ripped off by an endless list of charges that airlines add to the prices they advertise.
'I am calling for the European Commission to look at how passengers are being misled and how it can force airlines to be more transparent in showing holidaymakers exactly what they're buying.'

Levy: Ryanair recently placed a 1.75 charge on all flights to cover its compensation billMr Simpson said there had been a growing trend among bud! get airl ines to advertise a low price for fares before hitting the customer with a series of charges.He added: 'Airlines make millions by forcing holidaymakers to pay one fee to use credit and debit cards, pay another amount for taxes and fuel surcharges, pay again to choose a seat and then pay even more for the pleasure of bringing a bag.
'One airline has even taken things a stage further and asked passengers to pay for their own compensation.'Many passengers even arrive at the airport for their holiday only to be told that they have to pay a further fee to check-in for their flight because they should have done it online.'When booking a flight, the price you see at the beginning of your search should be the same price you actually pay at the end.'A spokesman for Ryanair said the levy was included in all advertised literature, the Daily Mirror reported.