U.S. fines Mexican airline for failing to disclose bag fee

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a $130,000 fine against the Mexican airline Volaris for failing to disclose baggage fees when selling tickets.

The civil penalty is the first assessed for the violation since the federal agency began requiring airlines to disclose extra taxes and fees starting in January. The rule applies to all airlines selling air transportation in the United States, including foreign carriers.

“We adopted our rule on baggage fees to make sure that consumers have complete and accurate information about how much they will have to pay when they book a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We will continue to take enforcement action when carriers fail to comply with our rules.”

Volaris operates nearly 40 flights per week from Los Angeles International Airport.

Under the federal rule, carriers must “clearly and prominently disclose” on the first online screen that offers a fare for a specific flight that additional fees for baggage may apply, as well a link to view the baggage fees.

In government documents, Volaris said it inadvertently failed to include the baggage fees on its website and has since corrected the problem.

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