Ryanair shut down its site last weekend for a three-day upgrade.
It was relaunched yesterday, in a format the airline claimed complied with OFT rules, which stipulate that all fixed, non-optional costs must be included in headline fares.
However, ABTA head of legal services Simon Bunce disagreed and said the OFT must now act.
‘Ryanair has fobbed off the OFT for over a year with the excuse that they could not show clear, unambiguous prices on its website because they didn't have the technology,’ Bunce said.
‘Clearly, despite working on their website all weekend, they still don't have the technology. Either that or they just don't care about how they deal with their customers.
‘Conversely, ABTA Members have been treating their customers with respect by telling them upfront what the cost of their holiday will be, allowing easier price comparison and more straightforward booking procedures.’
ABTA itself has no power to force Ryanair to comply with directives to include all taxes, charges and fees in headline fares, but is looking to the OFT to take a firm line.
Bunce added: ‘The OFT must have had its patience sorely tested by Ryanair and we would urge them to ensure that holidaymakers can trust the prices they are given so that they can make valid comparisons when choosing their travel arrangements.’
Background from e-tid.com:
ABTA/OFT to discuss Ryanair (20/02/2008)
Holiday Which? lays into LCC pricing model (08/01/08)
OFT takes action over misleading prices (11/05/07)
OFT warns airline bodies over misleading pricing (09/02/07)