engine - 1:25 pm on May 8, 2008 (gmt 0)

One in three European consumers are being misled or ripped off by Web sites selling airline tickets, the European Union's consumer chief said on Thursday, warning the industry to improve or face legal action. "It is unacceptable that one in three consumers going to book a plane ticket online is being ripped off or misled and confused," EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva told a news conference. "But my message to industry is clear, act now or we will act. We will need to see credible evidence of improvement to clean up these sales and marketing practices within the airline sector by May 1st next year or we will be left with no choice but to intervene."

E.U. Says, Travel Sites To Clean Up Their Act, or Face Legislation [uk.reuters.com]