Digital markets

Digital markets

Digital markets regulation must distinguish between legitimate airline practices and genuinely harmful intermediary behaviour.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Fairness Act (DFA) seek to address abusive practices by intermediaries, including Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) — such misleading interface designs that trick passengers into paying hidden fees undermine their ability to make informed decisions. Regulation must target these practices to protect passengers' ability to easily and directly access transparent and competitively priced airline ticket offers.

Passengers deserve a clear distinction between airline ticket prices and fees added by OTAs, mandatory disclosure of extra fees charged by intermediaries, and recognition of website and search engine designs that genuinely help — rather than confuse — consumers. Airlines should maintain the ability to price dynamically or not be penalised for offering affordable, flexible booking options to passengers.

Camille Barré
Policy Director
,
Digital markets
2016
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200

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3
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40%
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