Which?, the consumer organisation, is calling for budget airlines to be more up-front about their charges to avoid passenger confusion.

A report by Which?, an independent organisation that provides consumers with unbiased information, has revealed that budget airlines charge more than the advertised ticket price for flights by not including ‘hidden’ costs – sometimes adding up to £28 extra.

Airlines are required by law to include taxes and charges within their overall costs, however some airlines are charging for additional services such as when passengers make use of check-in desks.

Lorna Cowan, editor of Holiday Which? magazine, said: “We’re disappointed to see the major budget airlines are introducing charges for services that were once included in the full cost of the ticket. Ryanair’s charge to use its check-in desk is especially unfair. The only way to avoid this is not to check any luggage into the hold.

“Although the airlines view these services as optional, who would go on a week’s holiday without checking a bag into the hold?”

The report has revealed the most common additional charges facing passengers to be: credit card booking fees of £3.50–£4.90; checking bags into the hold, with Ryanair, Monarch and bmibaby charging £20, Flybe £18, and easyJet £10; ‘fast-track’ boarding service charges ranging from £4–15; and Ryanair’s charge of £4 to use its check-in desks.

Although savings can be made if passengers book for additional services online, Which? magazine is calling for airlines to “put a halt to these charges”.

To request a copy of the full Which? report, log on to www.which.co.uk.