Rip-off charges made by budget airlines may become a thing of the past if the EU brings in new legislation to force airlines to be more transparent.

Brian Simpson MEP, North West Labour Euro MP and Chairman of the powerful European Parliament Transport Committee, has called for new EU-wide laws to put an end to the growing list of charges added to the advertised cost of a budget airline flight.

"Flyers are being ripped off by an endless list of charges that airlines add to the prices they advertise. I am calling for the European Commission to look at how passengers are being misled and how it can force airlines to be more transparent in showing holidaymakers exactly what they're buying", said Mr Simpson.  

"In the last few years there's been a growing trend for airline companies to advertise one low attractive price and then show passengers a long list of extra charges they must pay for basic services", added the senior Labour MEP. 

"Airlines make millions by forcing holidaymakers to pay one fee to use credit and debit cards, pay another amount for taxes and fuel surcharges, pay again to choose a seat and then pay even more for the pleasure of bringing a bag. One airline has even taken things a stage further and asked passengers to pay for their own compensation".

Ryanair announced in March that they have started charging an additional £1.75 per passenger to cover the costs of compensating flyers under EU passenger rights legislation.

"Many passengers even arrive at the airport for their holiday only to be told that they have to pay a further fee to check-in for their flight because they should have done it online".

"When booking a flight, the price you see at the beginning of your search should be the same price you actually pay at the end".