Elspeth looks forward to at-a-glance airfares

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Scots fliers will no longer risk being misled when they buy flights online, thanks to new European rules that will require companies to advertise and display the actual total cost of flights on their websites, while also making optional extras opt-in rather than opt-out.

Speaking after today's vote, Elspeth Attwooll, Liberal Democrat Member for Scotland, warmly welcomed the new plans:

"Now certain airlines will no longer be able to dazzle us with misleading advertising and non-existent special offers. All prices will be totally transparent from the very first glance, with all fees, charges and taxes absolutely clear.

The new rules represent a triumph for consumer, and I look forward to them taking effect, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later".

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Air fares as displayed will have to include all taxes, fees and charges added to the basic ticket price and known at the time of publication.

Some of the recommendations include:

• Stopping airlines from being able to advertise flights at £0.99 (for example) when the actual cost is far higher, i.e. making them advertise the total price in the first instance;

• Making optional pricing supplements opt-in rather than opt-out;

• Increasing transparency over security costs, therefore making it obvious to consumers exactly how much is being charged, in order to make sure that this actually reflects the true cost.

The new regulation should enter into force by early next year.