3 Fined for airfare ad violations

The US Department of Transportation slapped three companies with fines for violations of airline fare advertising rules, the department said Thursday. Rules adopted in January mandate companies clearly display fares in full, including surcharges, taxes and fees, so that hidden costs are not later sprung on unsuspecting consumers. The department said Philippine Airlines and Santa Barbara Airlines were each fined $80,000. Ticket agent Pacific for Less was fined $20,000, the department said. "We adopted our airline consumer protection rules to make sure passengers know the full price they have to pay, including charges for checking baggage, when they buy an airline ticket," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Carriers and ticket agents are required to comply with these rules," he said.