As MEPs voted to support proposals to end the advertising flights as free when they are subject to a variety of charges, Ryanair today announced it was absorbing such costs in an apparent offer of 250,000 free seats on flights across Europe.
A Ryanair spokeswoman told ireland.comthe company would meet all costs and that passengers would not part with any cash to avail of the offer which ends tomorrow.
However, several attempts by ireland.comto secure a free flight were unsuccessful. While some flights were available for one cent, a baggage charge of at least €4 return was applied even when no baggage was booked.
The low-cost airline advertises on its website that, subject to certain conditions, there will be 250,000 free flights in September and October including 100,000 seats on routes operating between Ireland and the UK.
Ryanair was rapped by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority last November for falsely claiming its seats were free when the tickets were subject to taxes and charges of between stg£11.70 and stg£21.70.
Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins expressed concern about such practices and also hit out at the company's media statement publicising the promotion.
The company, which is famous for its publicity stunts, says in block capitals in the subject box of the emailed statement: "Ryanair flies its 150 millionth UK passengers - 100,000 free seat sale from Ireland to celebrate - zilch, nada, zip, f**k all!!!".
Mr Higgins said the company had sunk to "a new low".
"I've no problem with the cartoons but that is outrageous - totally unacceptable. It is beyond me how a company with a world wide reputation can possibly think it will advance its brand name or product with language like that," Mr Higgins said.
He also welcomed the European Parliament's endorsement of the Degutis Report which recommends the inclusion of all charges in the advertised price of an air fare.
A committee chaired by Latvian MEP Arunas Degutis said a fare should be defined as: "the price to be paid by passengers to air carriers or their agents for the carriage of those passengers and of their baggage on air services; and any conditions under which those prices apply, including remuneration and conditions offered to agency and other auxiliary services and including all applicable taxes, charges and fees."
Mr Higgins said the competition between low-cost airlines had reduce the cost of flying however this was not an excuse for "deceptive" advertising.
"The tactic of publishing headline-grabbing fares, sometimes as low as one cent, and then dramatically hiking the price by adding extra costs, is deliberately misleading and should be brought to an end.
"This report ensures that consumers will be given the full price of the flight up front, inclusive of all applicable taxes, non-avoidable charges, surcharges and fees," Mr Higgins told the parliament.
Ryanair's latest offer was to celebrate carrying its 150 millionth passenger.