Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
693 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a system whereby airlines would have to advertise the actual cost of travelling with them rather than the current system where the actual cost is often not comparable to the advertised amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/12]
View answerUnder European common rules on the operation of the air services market in the EU, European carriers providing commercial air services can freely set their fares. This has been the case since 1992 when the market was first liberalised.
From 1 November 2008, Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community introduced revised provisions requiring greater pricing transparency. When publishing or advertising air fares, airlines must include all conditions taxes and charges that apply and which are unavoidable and foreseeable at the time of publication. These rules result in greater transparency in pricing information but airlines still have full pricing freedom and it is not open to Ireland to introduce national legislation that will interfere with this freedom.
