WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4015/97 by Thomas MEGAHY to the Commission. Misleading advertising by airlines
Date: 1998-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, MEGAHY
Subjects: United Kingdom, advertising malpractice, air freight rate, air transport, consumer information, consumer protection, travel agency

C 196/58

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

22. 6. 98

(98/C 196/79)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4015/97

by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Misleading advertising by airlines

The United Kingdom Advertising Standards Authority has recently ruled that airlines and travel agents must
advertise the true cost to the traveller of all flights, including airport and other taxes, seasonal premiums and all
extraneous  costs.  Is  the  Commission  aware  of  the  situation  in  other  Member  States,  and  would  it  consider
proposing a directive generalizing what will, from 1 January 1998, be the practice in Britain?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(26 February 1998)

The  Commission  was  pleased  to  learn  of  the  United  Kingdom  initiative  on  improved  information  to  airline
passengers  relating  to  the  true  costs  of  all  flights.  The  Commission  has  not  been  informed  of  any  similar
initiatives in other Member States.

However, the Commission has launched a comprehensive study to assess the conditions included in air transport
contracts from the perspective of consumers. The issue of the best means of giving passengers adequate notice of
required  information  (including  prices)  relevant  to  the  decision  about  whether  to  enter  into  the  contract  is
amongst the matters being addressed and is now the subject of industry-wide consultation. The Commission will
consider whether new initiatives are necessary in the light of the study and the consultation process.

(98/C 196/80)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4018/97

by Panayotis Lambrias (PPE) to the Commission

(14 January 1998)

Subject: Establishment of a Greek section in the third European School currently under construction

In spite of the fact that there is a large Greek community in Brussels, there is only one Greek section in Brussels(cid:146)
two existing European schools. A significant increase in the number of Greek speakers in Brussels is expected in
the immediate future, owing to the transfer of the Court of Auditors from Luxembourg, Cyprus(cid:146) accession to the
European Union, while at the same time the number of Greeks coming to live in Brussels is constantly rising.

Will  the  Commission  say  whether  it  proposes  to  take  steps  to  establish  a  second  Greek  section  in  the  third
European School currently under construction in Brussels since this request already has the support of a large
number of parents (320 signatories) and meets with no objection from the Permanent Representation of Greece?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(4 February 1998)

Only the Board of Governors, the intergovernmental body responsible for the European Schools, has the power
to determine the orientation and organisation of studies. Therefore, when the time comes, only the Board can
decide which language sections will be in the third European School now under construction in Brussels. The
decision will have to be taken in accordance with the principles underlying the educational system of the school.

The Commission is a member of the Board of Governors and is very interested in ensuring the smooth operation
of the European Schools; it will make sure that the principles are observed.