European Commission clears Emirates' websites

The European Commission's Director General for ‘Health and Consumers' has confirmed that Emirates airline's websites are fully compliant with all the requirements laid down in EU consumer legislation, and it further commended the airline for its commitment to consumer transparency.

The Commission's ‘health check' investigation and report on airline websites published in May had listed Emirates as being non-compliant. Subsequent discussions between the airline and the responsible directorate confirmed that this was inaccurate, Emirates said.

In a statement, Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: "I am delighted to confirm that contrary to some earlier reported indications, Emirates airline is fully in compliance with all the requirements laid down in EU consumer legislation that were monitored in the recent 'health check' in relation to air ticket selling websites and therefore belongs to those companies that can serve as an example to be followed by others. I commend Emirates airline as a non-EU carrier for the observance of Community law and for the commitment to maintain these standards and to consumer protection in general demonstrated at a meeting held in Brussels on 17 June".

Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said the airline's commercial operations were guided by fair business practices and transparency for customers. All Emirates' fares include taxes and surcharges and no service fees applies when bookings were made and paid for online, he said.