Airlines will have to show the full price of fares in advertisements from March 1st next under new rules introduced by the Minister for Consumer Affairs.
From that date all adverts must include comprehensive information in regard to the full cost and availability of the fare on offer, including all charges payable on top of the price of the ticket itself. Credit card and similar charges must be stated separately.
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, was prompted to introduce the new rules in response to an investigation in 1999 by the Director of Consumer Affairs Ms Carmel Foley, into complaints about the hidden cost of air travel.
Mr Kitt said: "While a competitive market is clearly essential, it needs to be complemented by specific measures to protect consumers as intending passengers, as happens in the case of consumers of other services."
Mr Kitt said he had opted for the March date to give airlines time to comply with the new rules, which state that adverts must now show the total price payable and the currency.