.gif)
.gif)
01 February 2012 09:59
.jpg)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today published a summary of the optional extra fees charged by airlines in a comparison document.
Information on the cost of having an in-flight meal and reserving specific seats is included, along with a range of other optional charges that airlines may apply.
CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: "The diversity of UK aviation offers excellent choice and value to UK consumers with airlines adopting various business models. To really benefit from that choice consumers want to know the full price picture. For some passengers and airlines the headline ticket price will be the most expensive part of the booking, whilst for others the impact of optional fees and charges can change their view of the best overall price.
"Our table allows passengers to easily compare the optional fees that airlines charge and it's important to consider those charges alongside the ticket price and the extra charges that could be applied before making their booking."
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: "Consumers want to know that the price on the label is what they'll end up paying. But many air tickets seem to come with unexpected charges for everything from choosing a seat to just 'booking' the ticket.
"I hope this new information from the CAA will help, which is why we are legislating to give the CAA even more powers to ensure transparency for consumers. Ultimately, however, it's time that airlines were far clearer cut with passengers about these add-on charges in the first place."
The comparison table is among other information in the CAA "passenger portal" at: www.caa.co.uk/passengers
