THREE IRISH airlines have given undertakings to the European Commission that they have made their websites more accurate and consumer-friendly, or will do so shortly.
Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Aer Arann appear on a “grey list” of airlines that have made commitments towards greater transparency on their websites, but have not yet implemented the changes.
The three companies failed to make it on to a list of 16 airlines found by the commission to be in full compliance with new laws on airline websites, but managed to avoid being blacklisted for non-co-operation.
The commission yesterday published the results of a lengthy investigation into misleading and hidden charges on airline websites. The investigation was prompted by concerns about the way airlines displayed fares, with taxes and additional charges being added only when a purchase was almost complete, rather than at the start of booking.
There has also been criticism of the use of pre-ticked boxes and the advertising of special offers. It says that of the 137 websites investigated since 2007, 115 have been corrected. Ryanair said it made a number of changes to its website in April, shortly after the commission surveyed airline websites, to conform to the laws. Full prices, including taxes and charges for a flight, are now displayed on its home page and customers can opt into other services such as insurance, rather than having to opt out.
Aer Lingus said that since the commission brought a small number of issues of concern to its attention, it had undertaken to make the necessary changes.
A commission spokesperson said it accepted Ryanair had made substantial changes to its website since March, but it was too soon yet to give the airline a clean bill of health. The changes Ryanair made were highly influential in encouraging rival airlines to move on the issue, she said.
The spokeswoman said “two or three” issues had arisen with Aer Lingus but it was recognised that the company was in a period of transition with no chief executive at the moment. She said the issues with Aer Arann’s website were minor.
Eight airlines appear on the blacklist. They are: Olympic, Turkish Airlines, Royal Moroccan Airlines, Northwest, Air Baltic, Aeroflot, Wing Jet and Emirates.