ANAV – National Association of Travel Agencies, states that it is collecting information from Portuguese travel agents regarding “potentially harmful activities by the airline Ryanair”, according to a report by Publituris.
The objective, according to the Association, “will be to gather as much data and real cases as possible about potentially abusive or even illegal practices, which directly affect the good and regular functioning of Portuguese travel agencies whenever they buy airline tickets or use the airline’s services.”
Therefore, ANAV requests travel agencies to provide it with all information on situations that result in difficulties, or that put into question the quality of care and services provided to end customers.
In possession of concrete cases regarding the legal, real and commercial activity of Ryanair in Portugal, ANAV, according to its president, Miguel Quintas, “intends to formally question the airline, with the purpose of correcting practices that we believe may be abusive to end customers and, obviously, to travel agencies”.
Currently, and according to Miguel Quintas, “we are evaluating some activities that have already been identified, but which still require legal validation, namely the need for facial recognition, the lack of transparency in prices, or even a list of misleading information aimed at customers final decisions on the suitability of reservations and issues made by travel agencies, among some other situations", highlighting that, depending on the number, content and severity of complaints received by travel agencies, the association "does not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings against Ryanair, if we find evidence that justifies it.”
I would definitely add to this list the Easyjet as well. They are so nasty and rude to passengers. It personally happened to our family while travelling to Portugal, which is home to us. They did not allow us to board, and we missed our flight.
By Parvana Guliyeva from Lisbon on 03 Jan 2024, 17:00
Who books Ryanair via Portuguese Travel Agents, Portugal cannot afford to lose Ryanair and the jobs they create and the additional commercial activities all for the benefit of the Portuguese. Sounds like a reaction to Ryanair's view on the increased charges from ANA. Be careful to what you wish for !
By Cyril Bernard Griffith from Algarve on 03 Jan 2024, 17:02
This is a very serious matter and needs to be investigated with exemplary rigour. It is vitally important that all airlines operate legally and responsibly, especially considering that traffic accidents involving aircraft are virtually always far worse than those involving other motor vehicles as air travel is the one form of travel without any physical surface contact during the journey.
By Paul Lawrence from Other on 04 Jan 2024, 07:11
"Lack of Transparency of Prices". I assume this means an investigation into EasyJet, TAP, British Airways and pretty much all organisations, as they all seem to use the same tactics.
Also, let's not foget that companies like Ryanair and EasyJet have made travel affordable and sunny holidays available to most people. I hope they are not just being spiteful about O'Leary's comments on the new Lisdbon airport (well hardly new really) and the price rises for airports in Portugal (the opposite of most EU countries)
Also, just as Portugal's tourist industry recovers, why not stick the knife in to one of the main carriers of tourists. I hope this does not backfire and costs rise so the tourists decide go to Italy, Greece or Spain etc.
By Lindsay McCaughey from Algarve on 04 Jan 2024, 07:30
Travel agencies ?? A bunch of outdated firms trying to maintain their outdated practices, and commissions of course. If these types of companies could get their mindsets and operations into the 21st century, it would help everyone.
By Richard Elliot from Lisbon on 04 Jan 2024, 10:03
Less hot air out of a 747 than a Portuguese investigation, another waste of tax payers money to amount to nothing like every other that runs out of time and impetus ,, or everybody develops Alzheimers.
By John from Alentejo on 04 Jan 2024, 14:24
This Airline should be fined they find silly excuses to overcharge the carry on or buy priority tickets often doubling the price of the cheap ticket. These practices are illegal and they should be accountable.
By Juan Carlos Moya from Other on 04 Jan 2024, 19:17
Ryanair should have never made people verify your flight from face recognition disgraceful
By Jacqueline Beggs from Other on 04 Jan 2024, 21:33
Not a big fan of Ryanair, but this sounds like retaliation for recent comments about landing rights, airport taxes etc. Seems to me that Portugal will be shooting itself in the foot either way!
By Stuart Wood from Algarve on 05 Jan 2024, 14:19
It’s very simple, just don’t book to fly with Ryanair. The only way they will learn is if customers boycott them.
By JerryR from Other on 05 Jan 2024, 14:44
This is nothing more than an act of retaliation for Ryanair's protest at their monopolistic price gouging.
By Peter from Lisbon on 05 Jan 2024, 16:12