Ryanair condemned for misleading advertising

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Source: servihoo.com

Ryanair condemned for misleading advertising
[17 May 2006]
PARIS (AFP)

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has been ordered to pay 250,000 euros (319,000 dollars) to Air France-KLM for misleading and disparaging advertising that targeted the French-Dutch airline, court documents showed.

Air France-KLM had complained about an advertisement by Ryanair on its website that claimed: "Ryanair.com, 391 percent less expensive than Air France-KLM."

The French-Dutch group also objected to a slogan used by Ryanair of "Making the sky the cheapest place on earth," which was similar to the Air France-KLM slogan of "Making the sky the most beautiful place on earth."

In a judgement by a commercial court in Paris, delivered on May 12 and obtained by AFP, Ryanair was told that "the incriminated price comparison was not objective" and that the slogan was "misleading and therefore constitues unlawful comparative advertising."

The group, known for its aggressive advertising and brash style of its chief executive Michael O'Leary, was also found guilty of misusing the slogan of Air France-KLM which "amounted to acts of denigration."

Ryanair was ordered to pay 250,000 euros in compensation to the group.

The two companies are set to open a new front in their bitter fight for market share.

Ryanair said last Thursday that it had filed a complaint with the EU competition watchdog over alleged illegal aid of 1.0 billion euros given to Air France by the French government.

Air France denounced the statement by Ryanair as "a publicity stunt."