Brazil 2014: complaint against five local airlines for "unfair pricing"

Procon-RJ, the consumer protection agency of the State of Rio de Janeiro, filed a complaint against five Brazilian airlines Azul, Gol, Oceanair, Avianca and TAM for "unfair prices" over the period of the World Cup (12/06 to 13/07/2014) on the 01/11/2013.

"There are cases where ticket prices are 1000% higher than normal rates...mainly for the most requested flights, like those to Rio and Sao Paulo," said the organisation which is controlled by the Secretariat of State for Consumer Protection.

Procon demand that airlines maintain normal rates during the World Cup, and repay the customers who have already purchased tickets for double the price, or they will face a fine of 50,000 real (about €16,500) per ticket.

The ABEAR (the Brazilian Association of Airlines) states that "the ticket offers do not yet match what is proposed for the World Cup." The price will be adjusted after the draw for the finals, scheduled for the 06/12/2013 at Costa do Sauipe (Bahia State), and tickets will be sold from January 2014.

Procon has also complained against the ANAC (National Agency of Civil Aviation), for…