Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats
On 30 October 2007, I submitted to the Commission a question on irregularities and false advertising on websites selling airline tickets online (E-5538/07), in which I respectfully asked whether any specific measures would be taken to prevent online advertising fraud and to protect the rights of European consumers.
One week later, I read in the press that the Commission was to publish the names of airline companies that practiced deception on the internet, and that it would close down their websites unless, within four months, they had resolved those irregularities, which basically relate to the failure to include airport taxes or credit card payment charges, the advertising of offers that are not actually available and unfair contractual conditions – such as the text of the contract not being available in the language of the user.
In this respect, can the Commission state what steps it will take, besides publishing the names of the airlines and closing down their websites, if those companies fail to conform to the law within the set time limit? Bearing in mind that it is the national or – in the case of Spain – regional governments that have competence for imposing penalties, is the Commission in a position to require that compensation be paid to any consumers affected?
Furthermore, since a European cooperation network exists for cross-border cases, how much room for manoeuvre does the Commission have in this field?
Contact
Maria Badia i Cutchet
Loading
