The DGCCRF, the authority responsible for combating fraud, announced on Friday July 10 that it had put an end to the practice of the airline Volotea consisting of increasing the price of the ticket after purchase.
Volotea implemented what it called a “fair travel commitment” in mid-March, which allowed it to adjust the price of its tickets after payment, up or down depending on the price of oil, which had risen sharply due to the war in the Middle East.
“This commercial practice is prohibited,” indicated the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention. It is based on a European regulation of 2008 (article 23 of regulation 1008/2008).
Up to €14 extra per ticket
This interpretation confirms that of the European Commission, which at the beginning of May also clarified that the practice was in violation of European rules.
“The national investigations service of the DGCCRF has therefore ordered the Volotea company to cease these practices under penalty of a penalty of €3,000 per day of delay in the event of non-compliance,” continued the DGCCRF. “The Volotea company complied following the injunction,” she said.
The supplement to be paid to be able to check in on a booked flight could go up to €14. The Spanish low-cost airline indicated that 97% of its customers chose to confirm their flight and pay the requested amount.
Volotea undertook to reimburse its customers part of the price if the barrel was less than 65 dollars. On the other hand, above 75 dollars, the price was increased. However, when this pricing policy was launched, in mid-March, a barrel of Brent was worth around 100 dollars.
