New rules for advertising the cost of airline tickets are coming into force which mean that all airport taxes must be included in advertised prices.

The move means passengers will know exactly how much their tickets are going to cost before they book them.

The regulation, which comes into force on Saturday, has been brought in at the insistence of the Advertising Standards Authority which claims that over the years, thousands of people have been misled by artificially low advertised prices.

Ticket prices will be more transparent

But cut-price airlines, such as EasyJet and Ryanair are not happy with the new rule. Although they do advertise the price plus tax, they make it clear how much the tax is. They believe airport taxes should be a percentage of the cost of flights rather than a flat rate.

Airport and departure taxes can mount up for travellers. For example, on routes between the UK and America, passengers have to pay a total of £44 a head in taxes.

It is hoped that the new rule will also make it easier for passengers to reclaim tax on cheap flights which they have had to cancel at short notice.

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