EU slams travel websites

Websites selling airline tickets are ripping off nearly a third of their customers, according to the EU.

A report into the online travel industry found that 80 online retailers that had been told to improve their websites back in November had not yet brought their offerings up to scratch.

The EU said that many of the sites were still applying hidden charges, pricing tickets unfairly and not translating terms and conditions.

"It is unacceptable that one in three consumers booking a plane ticket online is being ripped off or misled and confused," EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said.

However, there was no prospect of immediate action being taken against the websites, because the EU has given them nearly a year to "get their house in order".

"We will need to see credible evidence of improvement to clean up these sales and marketing practices within the airline sector by 1 May next year or we will be left with no choice but to intervene," Kuneva said.

http://ec.europa.eu