WEBSITE advertising methods have been called into question following a clash in Chelmsford Crown Court between Ryanair and Essex County Council's Trading Standards Department. Both sides claimed victory and the budget airline was fined ”24,000 after jurors concluded that a page of its website did not immediately explain that tax would be added, breaching consumer protection legislation. However the court decided that it was legal to advertise flight costs without taxes as long as that was made clear. It does now seem likely that government will bring in legislation forcing airlines to initially show the actual fare being paid. Currently taxes and credit card charges are only added by some airlines once the trading basket is complete. Mike Hill, head of Essex County Council's Trading Standards Department, said the Council would lobby the government for a change in consumer legislation. "We have tested the law and it has been found wanting," he said. "In newspapers, television and on billboards, companies have to advertise the true cost of goods. If a petrol company advertised a litre of petrol at 25p ” excluding tax, it would be illegal. It should be the same with internet advertising for flights”.
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