JetBlue Airways fined over price advertising rules violation

JetBlue Airways, a leading low cost carrier in the US offering deep airline discounts, has been asked to pay a fine of US$50,000 by the US Department of Transportation for price advertising rules violation in online ads.

Media reports citing Federal investigators said that JetBlue Airways has been fined because it didn’t furnish proper information about taxes and fees which it charges on airline tickets to the customers.

Besides JetBlue Airways, other airlines to be have been similarly fined include Continental Airlines and US Airways.

Usually while selling air tickets, airlines attract customers boasting low fares, which however increases abruptly when purchased by the customers after adding in all the extras and fine print. With some of international flights, the prices of air tickets goes up more than the base fare after adding up fuel surcharges, airport fees and taxes.

Ray LaHood, US Transportation Secretary, in a statement said that the customers have every right to know the full price when they buy airline tickets. The airlines are expected to treat their customers fairly in this regard, said LaHood.

The US$50,000 fine could have been avoided by JetBlue Airways if its online ads showed the relevant web links as specified by the US Department of Transportation.

The US Department of Transportation mandates that all the airfares will have to be mandatorily advertised with inclusive of taxes and fees starting January 24, 2012.