Mayo senator asks consumer watchdog to look at flight prices for soccer qualifier

THE consumer watchdog has been asked to look at airline fare structures after Republic of Ireland soccer fans were hit with exorbitant price increases for a World Cup play-off.

Mayo Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy confirmed he has written to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) highlighting surges in prices for flights to Prague around the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier play-off against Czechia on March 26.

In the letter to the CCPC, Senator Duffy highlighted the unfairness of dynamic pricing in situations where loyal fans are trying to follow their team: “Within hours of the draw which confirmed Ireland must travel to Czechia on March 26th, the cost of Ryanair flights surged to €900 return. I fully appreciate that Ryanair operate in a supply and demand environment but ultimately this form of dynamic pricing is grossly unfair and is just taking advantage of loyal Irish fans desperate to follow their team.”

He stressed that while dynamic pricing may not be illegal, it leaves consumers exposed to predatory practices when demand is at its peak.

“Carriers are entitled to operate profitably but there is an onus on the CCPC to ensure that adequate consumer protections are in place. Given the extent of the price inflation I am calling on the CCPC to undertake a full review of these pricing practices to ensure that Irish consumers are not being exposed to unfair price gouging.”

Senator Duffy also acknowledged Ryanair’s long-standing role in supporting Irish sport but insisted protections must be strengthened: “Ryanair is a fantastic company that has benefitted the sporting public hugely over many years, but it is crucial proper protections are in place to ensure that passengers are not left exposed.”