Internet fare advertising of service fees

DECEPTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING SERVICE FEES CHARGED BY TRAVEL AGENTS IN THE MARKETING AND SALE OF AIRFARES TO THE PUBLIC VIA THE INTERNET

NOTICE

The Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (“Enforcement Office”) has revised its enforcement policy on fare advertising in light of the issuance of Order 2001-12-7 (December 7, 2001). The Department granted a conditional exemption from the airfare advertising requirements of 49 U.S.C. §41712 and 14 CFR §§399.80 and 399.84 in this order to allow Orbitz, L.L.C., an on-line travel agent, to list its service fees separately from certain airfares. Consistent with the Department’s action, the Enforcement Office will no longer take enforcement action against Internet travel agents that list their service fees separately from airfares, provided that they conform to the limits enumerated in Order 2001-12-7 and set forth below. This revised policy applies only to Internet travel agents: airlines that list service fees separately from their airfares remain subject to enforcement action.