Continental was given a civil penalty of 120,000 U.S. dollars and U.S. Airways 45,000 U.S. dollars

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Thursday imposed civil penalties against Continental Airlines and U.S. Airways for violating the rules prohibiting deceptive price advertising in air travel.  Continental was given a civil penalty of 120,000 U.S. dollars and U.S. Airways 45,000 U.S. dollars, the DOT said in a statement.  Any advertising that includes a price for air transportation is required to state the full price to be paid by the consumer, including all carrier-imposed surcharges, according to DOT's rules.  However, a review of Continental's website by DOT revealed instances in which the carrier failed to include fuel surcharges in its listed fares.  With respect to U.S. Airways, its homepage advertisement has an asterisk next to the fare and a statement that additional taxes and fees might apply, but there was no information on the type or amount of fees in either the ad or on the homepage, noted the department.  "Passengers have the right to know how much they will have to pay when they buy an airline ticket, and we will continue to take enforcement action when these rules are violated," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

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