Ryanair booking practices are unlawful, Brussels court rules
The Brussels Commercial Court has ruled that several practices used by Ryanair during the online booking process are unlawful, according to a statement released on Tuesday by consumer organisation Testachats. The judge ordered the Irish company to change these practices or face a penalty of 5,000 euros per day.
Last May, Testachats, supported by its umbrella organisation Euroconsumers, brought an injunction against Ryanair for various practices during the booking process, which it considers to be contrary to consumer rights.
The judge of the commercial court confirmed these grievances in its ruling, handed down last week and announced by Testachats on Tuesday. The practices deemed unlawful are bundled fare packages, the statement “only 5 seats left at this price”, adverts for discounts with a false reference price and not displaying the prices of checked baggage separately for outbound and return flights.
"Ryanair is careful not to mention this when the package is selected … in order to encourage the purchase of more expensive packages"
In the first case, once passengers have selected their flight, they must choose a package: Basic, Regular, Flexi Plus or Plus. If they wish to take hand luggage, the website recommends the Regular fare, which also entitles them to priority boarding and a reserved seat. However, it is possible to opt for these options separately at a later stage, choosing only those that the passenger needs and at a lower cost.
“Ryanair is careful not to mention this when the package is selected, and not to indicate the price of additional services, in order to encourage the purchase of more expensive packages,” Testachats said. “Here too, the law stipulates that the final price must be specified at the beginning of the booking process.” The judge confirmed that the practice was illegal.
The action also challenged the claim “only 5 seats left at this price” displayed next to a new price in red and a crossed-out price, giving the impression that passengers must hurry to take advantage of the price.
However, Testachats noted several cases where the price subsequently fell. This practice is also considered illegal, as are announcements of price reductions with a false reference price. The same applies to the practice of not displaying the prices of checked baggage separately for the outbound and return flights.
"We want prices to be clearly displayed, separately for each service, right from the start of the booking process"
"Several aspects of Ryanair"s booking process are currently unclear or misleading," said Jean-Philippe Ducart of Testachats.
"We want prices to be clearly displayed, separately for each service, right from the start of the booking process, to make it easier to compare different airlines and, above all, so that consumers only purchase the services they need, with full knowledge of the price."
The judge ordered Ryanair to change these practices or face a penalty of 5,000 euros per day after a period of three months from the date of notification of the judgment.
On the issue of hand luggage being included in the ticket price and surcharges for sitting next to a minor child, also denounced by Testachats in its action, the judge ruled that these practices are not illegal as they stand.
© PHOTO SERENE LEE / SOPA IMAGES / SIPA USA
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