Hungarian consumer protection launches investigation against Ryanair!

Ryanair has informed its passengers that it will retroactively charge them nearly HUF 4,000 each due to the excess profit tax imposed by the Hungarian government. However, the government thinks this is unacceptable and will investigate the matter.

Additional costs

According to 444.hu, on Thursday Ryanair passengers who had booked a ticket from Budapest for July or later received a letter. This shows that the airline will retroactively charge everyone an additional 3900 HUF (10 euros), as this is the amount of excess profit tax introduced by the government per passenger. For destinations outside Europe, it’s even more, 9750 HUF (25 euros).

If this is not acceptable, you have until June 16 to cancel your reservation, otherwise the amount will be automatically deducted from your bank account. After cancellation, the total amount previously paid will be refunded.

Unacceptable pricing practices

On Friday, Economic Development Minister Márton Nagy said in a statement that the government found Ryanair’s unfair ticketing practices unacceptable.

“The government has decided to impose excess profit taxes on airlines, among other sectors, to protect Hungarian families. The government has made it clear to all concerned that it will closely monitor market developments and do everything possible to prevent excess taxes from being passed on to the public. The government has indicated in advance that it will thoroughly investigate each of these cases and take strong action against the harmful practices,” 444.hu quoted the minister’s writing.

Investigation

The government finds it unacceptable for Ryanair to pass on the excess tax on profits levied on the airlines to travellers. They find it particularly reprehensible that Ryanair has already started this practice for tickets already sold.

As Portfolio.hu writes, the Minister of Economic Development, Márton Nagy, therefore called for a consumer protection investigation to ensure that the competent bodies in the government office, using their consumer protection powers, investigate thoroughly and, if possible, prevent the airline from unfair practices.

Source: 444.hu, Portfolio.hu