Last-minute “hidden” airline fees face a government crackdown to prevent passengers from being ripped off.
Ministers are drawing up measures to stop passengers being hit by unexpected charges of up to £160 to change the names on a booking, print boarding passes or check in luggage, The Times reported on Saturday.
An aviation strategy due to be published by the Department for Transport (DfT) will contain plans to ensure that fees are clearly visible at the time of booking.
Airlines could be required to present fees in the same transparent way when tickets are purchased, allowing travellers to make easy comparisons between carriers.
The move is designed to ensure that the price you see is the price you pay. Airlines could be asked to review their own charges if they are deemed excessive, according to the front page report.
The reforms are likely to cover all add-on fees that are accumulated through the ticket-buying process, including booking fees, seat reservations, bag charges and fees for extra leg room.
It will also cover some of the more contentious “hidden” charges that passengers usually find out about only at the last minute, including the cost of changing names on a booking and printing boarding passes.
The Civil Aviation Authority ordered a review of the terms and conditions imposed by airlines on passengers almost two years ago.
The regulator said that it was looking into administration fees and additional charges to see whether they were proportionate, easily understood and clearly displayed.
The government said at the time that it wanted to ensure that passengers were “not being penalised by unfair contract terms”.
The DfT asked for submissions on the future of aviation last year. A formal response is due to be published within weeks which is likely to set out some initial ideas that will include making hidden fees more transparent and listing them upfront rather than at the end of the booking process when it can sharply increase the cost of a flight.
A more detailed policy paper will then follow later in the year, The Times reported.
Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said: “Carriers operate in a highly competitive, dynamic and global industry and offering great customer service to passengers is their number one priority.
“We are engaging with the government on its aviation strategy and look forward to the publication of a green paper later this year, and will respond accordingly to many of the policy questions under discussion, including on charges.”
A Ryanair spokesman said: “All of Ryanair’s optional charges and fees are clearly outlined on the Ryanair.com website and displayed transparently throughout the entire booking process.
“We welcome any measures which combat unauthorised screen-scraper websites mis-selling air fares and including their own inflated, hidden fees.”