Ryanair, the major low-cost airline, has released its July Online Travel Agency (OTA) Pirate survey. The airline has singled out online provider eDreams as what it claims is the leading culprit in Europe.
Ryanair’s survey reveals alleged practices of overcharging and misleading consumers, and expresses concerns about the integrity of some online travel booking platforms.
Alleged Overcharging Practices
According to Ryanair’s findings, eDreams has been significantly overcharging its “Prime members” for various travel services. For instance:
- A 10kg bag on Wizz Air, priced at €14.90 on the airline’s website, was marked up by over 100% to €30.92 on eDreams.
- A reserved seat on British Airways, available for €23.00 directly from the airline, was inflated to €39.49 on eDreams – a 72% increase.
These examples highlight an apparent trend of hidden markups and overcharges, sometimes exceeding 100% of the original price.
Digital Piracy and Consumer Deception
Ryanair labels these practices as “digital piracy,” accusing eDreams of misleading consumers into believing they’re receiving discounts.
In reality, customers are paying inflated prices due to hidden markups. While eDreams is not currently selling Ryanair fares, the budget airline emphasizes that overcharging continues for other airlines’ flights and services.
Call for Consumer Protection
In light of these findings, Ryanair is amplifying its campaign for consumer protection against OTA Pirates.
The airline is urging EU governments and consumer agencies to take swift action to halt this form of digital piracy and prevent further consumer exploitation.
Ryanair spokesperson Dara Brady expressed strong criticism of eDreams and similar OTAs. Brady stated, “Our July OTA Pirate survey exposes eDreams as Europe’s No.1 OTA Pirate.”
“They continue to scam and overcharge their customers by up to 108%,” he claimed.
The airline accuses these OTAs of unlawfully scraping airline websites to overcharge unsuspecting consumers.
Ryanair advocates for transparent pricing and encourages OTAs to follow the model of their “Approved OTA” partners.
Looking Ahead
Ryanair pledges to continue its campaign against OTA Pirates by exposing overcharging practices and calling for their prohibition.
The airline remains committed to protecting consumers from deceptive pricing strategies in the online travel booking industry.
As this issue unfolds, it highlights the need for increased vigilance among consumers when booking travel online.
It also underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in the rapidly evolving digital travel marketplace.
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