Airline defends ban on 'touts'

BUDGET airline Ryanair has today defended its decision to ban bookings made on unauthorised "ticket tout" websites.

Responding to an inquiry letter from the European Commission, the airline insists it will continue to use the policy. The company cited examples of mark-ups as high as 300 per cent on external websites, including Bravofly, Edreams, Volgratis and Wegelo.

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said: "It is remarkable, but unsurprising, that a number of European Government agencies and the European Commission has sought to blame Ryanair for blocking the illegal activities of these screenscrapers, instead of tackling the real consumer scandal which is the hidden mark-ups being levied and overcharged on consumers."