All costs known at the time of publication must be set out, making clear the total price customers will pay under the terms of a plan agreed by EU transport ministers and now requiring final approval from MEPs.Labour MEP Robert Evans, Member of the Transport Committee, said: "The European Parliament is protecting British Citizens. The days when airline advertisements can be a con are over."Brian Simpson MEP, Transport Spokesman for the European Parliamentary Socialist Group, said: "This is great news for holidaymakers, now when you spot a bargain flight online you’ll be able to see the real price up front. It is time that consumers are clearly informed about the choices they make, when booking a flight online the price they see must be the price they pay." Under the proposals, airlines will have to provide the general public with comprehensive information, including when booking tickets on the internet, on their ticket prices. Quoted fares must include all applicable taxes, non-avoidable charges, surcharges and fees known at the time of publication (e.g. taxes, air traffic control charges or duties, fuel and other costs of the airline or the airport operator). Labour MEPs are supporting further wide ranging changes to the Common rules for air transport services in the EU. These include:
- All carriers will also have to provide on the internet and by all other means comprehensive information including fare payable, how it is broken down and which airline owns the plane.
- Where airport security costs or onboard security costs are included in the price, these costs must be shown independently on the ticket. Security taxes and charges whether levied by member states or air carriers or other bodies must be transparent and used exclusively to meet security costs.
- All member states must now ensure the proper application of community and national social legislation to employees of a community carrier operating air services from an operational base outside the territory.
- Wet leasing of aircraft from outside the EU, whereby one airline provides an aircraft, complete with crew, maintenance, and insurance, to another airline, will be strictly controlled.
